To Lose for a Living?

Neither prideful nor insecure
Not full of desire nor indifferent
Without despair



In my neat boxing terminnology list there is a term called a Journeyman. A journeyman is a boxer with good boxing skills who strives to succeed but who has limitations and little or no expectations of winning a fight. Journeymen are often hired on short notice to fight up-and-coming prospects and contenders to pad their records.



I couldn't help but wonder what would be the character of the man who plays this particular role inthe world of professional boxing. Certainly not an arrogant man, though he strives to succeed. Also not a man who lacks confidence as he is ready on short notice to fight up-and-coming- prospects and contenders.


This man is purposely hired to pad others' records! What does that conversation even sound like?


"How about this guy...Bob he is in the gym every day he's got some skill but you know he just is not strong enough, no matter what he does, he just don't got what it takes to beat fighter so-and-so... how bout we just use him to make fighter so-and-so's record look better... Hey Bob, we have you matched for a fight, but you know we have no expectation of you winning so we will only be using you. Great thanks Bob! see you in the ring"


I actually have no idea how this system of setting up the matches work, I will certainly find out for you, nevertheless, I still am struck to want to know about this kind of character. Or better yet the character this particular role highly recommends. I think this requires more than good sportsmanship...I mean seriously, this is losing for a living.


What would it look like to strive to succeed without the reward, or recognition, or heroic role being the end goal? What would it look like to continue in that work, as you are used to make something, in this case someone, else look better, be better,


Makes me wonder what would this figurative "journeyman" looks like in real life today?