Gatekeeper (boxing)

In boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts, a gatekeeper is a skillful and well-regarded fighter, but one who does not have the popularity or brilliance of a title contender. They are considered to be a cut above most journeymen. A gatekeeper will often have an impressive record in terms of wins versus losses but will have a difficult time getting people behind them and especially obtaining promotion. They are often seen as a "stepping-stone" for potential title contenders to prove their worth against.

Characteristics

Gatekeepers will frequently have the following characteristics:

They're sometimes relegated to fight contenders to boost the contender's stock shortly before a title fight.^[1]

Notable examples

The following fighters have all been described as gatekeepers:^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]

Notable MMA examples

References

^ ^a ^b Ondrizek, Troy (1 October 2006). "The Most Important Fighter in Boxing History". East Side Boxing. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012.
^ "Edison Miranda as The Gatekeeper? Tough Gate - Boxing News". boxingscene.com. 12 May 2009.
^ Blake Hochberger (15 May 2012). "I Like Marquez Over Judah, Ward Over Dawson And..." The Sweet Science.
^ "Monte Barrett: The Gatekeeper Cometh". saddoboxing.com.
^ "Adam Kownacki gets unanimous decision over Chris Arreola as both heavyweights break CompuBox record". sportingnews.com. 12 August 2021.

[eastsideboxing.com-1] Ondrizek, Troy (1 October 2006). "The Most Important Fighter in Boxing History". East Side Boxing. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012.

[2] "Edison Miranda as The Gatekeeper? Tough Gate - Boxing News". boxingscene.com. 12 May 2009.

[3] Blake Hochberger (15 May 2012). "I Like Marquez Over Judah, Ward Over Dawson And..." The Sweet Science.

[4] "Monte Barrett: The Gatekeeper Cometh". saddoboxing.com.

[5] "Adam Kownacki gets unanimous decision over Chris Arreola as both heavyweights break CompuBox record". sportingnews.com. 12 August 2021.

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[2]

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[5]

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Characteristics

Notable examples

Notable MMA examples

See also

References