Being a B level journeyman used to kinda be prestigious. Gatekeepers were fighters report cards.

I kinda like the sentiment - there's is a lot of good tough guys out there, and the margins of victory or loss, fame or oblivion are always one iffy decision away, but I'm not entirely sure of the point you're making. I would say, in general though that levels and abilities of all but a few outstanding talents are far closer than we often acknowledge.

 

I wouldn't call a few of those guys "gatekeepers", Darnell Boone is a gatekeeper, Diaz and Lopez were contenders and ex-champs.

 

Nice post, yes these kind of fighters provide a lot of entertainment,

Lopez and JSK runs were fun to watch, especially JSK I think I saw every fight you are talking about. Mr Tough Guy Selchek got dismantled, Berto's corner after round 1 was classic, "wtf was that?!?". The maidana fight was a war

 

Adrian Granados?

 

Good post

 

I think there are always good test for fighters at any level, but these guys have become so careful in choosing fights these test are avoided. (however I did like the test for errol spence).

Bika was considered a gatekeeper but he eventually won a championship. ishe smith, rasado are gate keepers but they dont want to be called that.

That journey man gatekeeper tag kind of takes you out mentally from championship contender. fighters work too hard and dont like that title whether it fits or not.

Usually the best test occur when fighting for one of the sanctioning bodies lower belts, with the winner being a mandatory.

 

I follow you on this bro. If we have any more grinding warriors they are tucked away and kept away from the masses in order to keep building up over hyped fighters.

 

Great post!
We need more quality content like this!

 

As a Lucas fan I was totally sweating that whole fight! Would be poetic if the same guy showed up against DSG

 

That is exactly the Molina that we can only hope to show up and put an end to this BS from Danny and his Pops

 

Willie none of those you listed are what I'd call the gatekeeper types of yore. Those are (or were, at their peak) bona fide contenders...or actual belt holders in the case of Chop and Kidd Diaz.

I have a pretty old school mentality when it comes to respecting journeymen, so I look more to guys like Rayco Saunders and Zack Page for inspiration as "the glue that holds the sport together". Never just record-padding (like a Giovanni Andrade), they always taught opponents a thing or two in the ring and made them put in serious work to avoid the embarrassment of a hiccup. Slick and wily and possessing durable chins to fall back on - and sneaky pop every now and then if they saw an opening and felt like rolling the dice - these are the unheralded salt of the earth types upon whose backs legends are built.

And you're sitting here spouting household names that were always in (or a fight or two away from being in) the world title mix. :-(

 

Jesus Soto Karass thoroughly out boxed Aydin, one of the funniest and most unlikely things I've ever seen in the ring.

 

I wonder how long Corley can realistically continue on. I know his financial situation and obligations, wonder if we'll see a modern Mamby situation.