I give a lot of respect to fighters who are willing to travel overseas to further their careers, win titles and defend them, despite the risk of hometown refs and judges. Golovkin has fought in 8 countries across 3 continents. Linares 8 countries across 4 continents. Who are some of the other top Road Warriors in boxing today?
He's still early in his career but certainly building up to be a roadwarrior, Usyk. Glowacki in Poland, Huck in Germany and now Briedis in Latvia.
Good suggestion, if he wins the final is supposed to be in Saudi Arabia as well! Also, just looked up Briedis who has fought in 7 countries!
In not sure the amounts of countries impress me the most, taking on an opponent in his backyard in whatever country impress me more. Fighting a Russian in Saudi Arabia isn't the same thing as doing it on the red square. As a Europeans you'll fight in many countries, especially if boxing isn't big in your home country. But for many prospects you'd still be the heavy favorite and fighting a guy from even further away than you. For me, those fight don't give much more respect than fighting at home.
I dont think anyone comes close to Chop Chop Corley. Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Guyana, Mexico, Denmark, Sweden, Bolivia, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, Argentina and China. So that makes 12.
Buck Smith .90s welterweight used to drive round the states in his car taking fights all over the shop .He came to Britain and KOed Kirkland Lang in a big upset.
True, fighters may find a 'home away from home' and there is a bit of a grey area in that regard, fighters from some countries may have most of their fights in America. What you say about Europe is true, but at the same time you also have the likes of Sven Ottke who left Germany once to fight in neighbouring Austria!