Possibly though I think that when it used to describe a boxer back in the 80s or so, it was used like an boxing in-house insult, to disparage their lack of skills and abilities regardless whether they really belonged to a boxing club or not.
Yeah suppose he was wasn't he, could've hung with them boys though, more a sparring partner mentality
I reckon you are right. I guess you have to of been of a certain age to get it. Even in the 80s I think I picked its meaning from older fans of the time. I would have thought the last generation that had local boxing clubs showing regular bills, would be those who followed the sport the first decade after the second world war. TV probably killed them.