The Story of Johnny Greaves: A Professional Boxing Journey

Johnny Greaves was often characterized as a professional loser. From 2007 to 2013, he participated in one hundred fights, losing 96 of them, achieving just one knockout while being halted twelve times before the end. His role in boxing was laid out plainly: if you sold tickets, you won fights; if not, you were an opponent destined to lose.

Despite his defeats, Greaves could earn over a thousand pounds per fight. His upbringing was marred by an abusive, alcoholic father, forcing Johnny to learn survival tactics that shaped his later fighting career. As a child filled with fear and anger, he turned to alcohol and drugs for solace, leading to a troubled life.

Throughout his career, Greaves faced a range of opponents, from unskilled local favorites to future champions like Liam Walsh and Anthony Crolla. Alcohol and drugs clouded his life, as he often fought while under their influence. Eventually, his objective in boxing became reaching one hundred professional fights.

Occasionally, two professional losers, dubbed “journeymen,” compete against each other, which allowed Greaves to secure three of his four victories. On September 29, 2013, he fought his last match against Dan Carr, who had a record of 2-42-2. Greaves won this bout by decision, marking a notable end to his career.

The biography, The Johnny Greaves Story, co-written with Adam Darke, recounts Greaves’s struggles. He reflects on his role: “We weren’t there to win. We provided a workout for talented home fighters and lost on points, all while taking home cash.” He highlights the art of appearing to try while subtly ensuring defeat, as well as the cynical nature of the boxing business.

Greaves discusses the constant threat of facing opponents who might become champions or those simply making a name for themselves. He acknowledges the reality of unfair scoring and the mental toll each fight took on him. As he continued, he became aware of his physical and mental decline, stating, “I was putting myself in more danger with each passing fight.” Ultimately, his reflections reveal a sense of despair and a desire to escape the relentless cycle of loss.

Johnny Greaves’s story serves as a raw portrayal of not just a fighter’s struggle but the broader implications of life in professional boxing. His candid reflections on mental health, resilience, and survival encapsulate the often unseen challenges faced by athletes in the ring.