JORDAN GRANNUM, 11-133-5
The new professional was filled with confidence as he received a call from The Islington Gazette prior to his first appearance.
He confidently informed them that he believed he could compete for world titles within the next four to five years. He expressed his conviction that he possessed all the necessary skills to ascend to the pinnacle of his sport.
In September 2015, a promising young talent named Jordan Grannum emerged. At the age of 22, he proved his potential by achieving remarkable success as an amateur boxer with the Islington and Finchley and District ABCs. During his apprenticeship, which consisted of 31 bouts, he triumphed in the prestigious Haringey Box Cup, securing a gold medal. Additionally, he displayed exceptional skill and determination by clinching consecutive Development championships.
Grannum emerged victorious in his initial two professional matches, which took place with an eight-month gap in between. However, following a reflective period lasting 14 months, he realized he needed to make some changes. Recognizing his struggle to sell tickets, he sought advice from the late Greg Steene, asking, “What steps can I take?” The solution was straightforward: hit the road.
Although I had come across the term ‘journeyman’ previously, its exact meaning eluded me. Determined to gain a better understanding, I delved into research about notable individuals such as William Warburton and Kristian Laight.
In just his third fight, Grannum quickly grasped the inner workings of the boxing industry. Displaying his newfound knowledge, he fearlessly stepped into the ring in Glasgow to face off against the formidable Ryan Brawley, who boasted an impressive record of 17 wins and only 1 loss.
Grannum shared, “I managed to knock him down in the final round, but instead of leaving him stranded, I lent a helping hand to get him back on his feet. Though I used to have an unwavering determination to never lose as an amateur, I surprisingly adapted to this role with ease.”
“I found myself lodged in the most dreadful hotel I had ever experienced, and as I sat there, my gaze fixated upon my meager stack of money on the table, I couldn’t help but contemplate: ‘This is who I am.'”
On Saturday, May 4, Grannum is pencilled in to have his 150th fight, though it may come before then.
Recently, Grannum has demonstrated his fighting prowess by defeating Tyler Rivers with a 5-0 upset last month. Reflecting on his performance, he mentioned, “This season, I’ve been more aggressive with my punches. However, it’s important to minimize the damage received, as the more you expose yourself, the higher the risk of being caught off guard.”
Grannum manages to avoid getting caught very often. Out of his 149 fights, with 147 of them on the right-hand side of the bill, he claims that the most severe injuries he has sustained are a fractured rib and a swollen eye. He attributes the swollen eye to a car accident he was in a few days prior to his boxing match.
In December 2020, he recalls that Aaron McKenna, the Irish punching machine, delivered one of his most challenging nights in the ring.
Grannum mentioned that it was during the Covid pandemic and he hadn’t boxed for nine months.
“My body had become accustomed to enduring punches, but it had been nine months since the last time I had experienced one. I decided to participate in the fight solely for the purpose of earning some money before Christmas.”
McKenna’s relentless pressure forced him to retire after just two rounds, but he had earned his money through sheer determination and hard work.
Grannum has only missed hearing the final bell on three occasions, and due to his exceptional endurance, he is acutely aware that his opponents aim to make a statement by defeating him.
He claims that a change in lifestyle has made his job easier.
He explained that during his initial 120-130 fights, he would often show up after a night out. Although he relied on his talent and experience to carry him through, it could sometimes be unpleasant. To improve his situation, he started training harder, making the experience more comfortable for himself.
Despite having fought 149 times, I still feel rejuvenated as if I’ve only had 49 fights.
Grannum still holds on to a glimmer of hope that he will someday fulfill his potential.
He stated, “A single crucial call has the potential to alter everything. With a foot already in the door, they will consistently require adversaries for significant events.”
There’s a possibility that my phone calls may decrease if I outperform a potential client, or perhaps I could be given another opportunity.
If that doesn’t happen?
Grannum expressed his willingness to compete in intimate venue matches and endure setbacks until he accumulates sufficient funds to acquire a house. “I thoroughly enjoy the sport of fighting and find great satisfaction in earning income from it, making it an ideal profession for me,” he stated.
Jordan Grannum beats Ali Wyatt
LEE HALLETT, 2-74-4
Last month, Johnny Greaves found himself outside the York Hall, pondering over a cigarette and reflecting on where everything had taken a turn for the worse. The fighter under his management had emerged victorious, but winning didn’t necessarily bode well for their business.
Greaves had a constant streak of being on the losing side in fights, having lost 96 out of 100. Now, he is graciously imparting his wisdom to Lee Hallett.
Hallett expressed, “On several occasions, I’ve entertained the idea of defeating this opponent, but then the phone remains silent, and I miss out on my intended goal. If I keep winning too often, I’ll never reach my target of 100 fights…”
The goal is to reach 101, which is one higher than Greaves’ score.
When Johnny was still a schoolboy at East Ham ABC, he crossed paths with Hallett. Greaves, another left-handed boxer from Canning Town, recalled, “I was an older student and lent a hand in his training during his early years.”
After purchasing a ticket for Greaves’ final fight in September 2013, a victorious points win over Dan Carr at the York Hall, Hallett and Greaves were finally reunited. Hallett, a father of two and restoration worker, expressed his admiration for Johnny. He confessed that he had contemplated pursuing a professional career as a promising prospect a few years prior, inspired by Greaves’ achievements.
At the age of 25, I encountered a manager who enlightened me about the intricacies of ticket sales. Having achieved an undefeated record in the unlicensed circuit and securing a few titles, I had a decent performance in selling tickets. There were instances where I managed to sell 100 tickets, but in the subsequent fights, the numbers dwindled to 30 or 40. This inconsistency bothered me as I didn’t want to invest months of rigorous training only to fall short in ticket sales. After all, I had a young family to provide for.
Greaves informed him that without the support of either Frank (Warren) or Eddie (Hearn), the sole means to earn money was to travel and perform away from home.
That was how Greaves did it.
He recalled, “In my initial 20 matches, I believed I had emerged victorious in around seven or eight of them. However, not even a single round was deemed as my triumph by the referee.” This realization sparked a reconsideration.
Greaves made a decision that if he was destined to lose, he would prioritize his safety rather than enduring a beating and going home battered and bruised. Additionally, he intended to entertain the audience by putting on a remarkable performance.
He claimed, “I made an effort to captivate the audience better than the other boys (journeymen). I engaged with the crowd, playfully stuck my tongue out, and even performed the Ali shuffle.”
“Lee’s level of involvement frequently exceeds what I believe is necessary. At times, we possess contrasting perspectives.”
Hallet expressed, “I enjoy challenging them and putting up a fight. I derive satisfaction from testing their abilities.”
Although Hallett became a professional at the age of 30, he did not test his first opponent.
“He admitted that he approached it in the entirely wrong way,” he reflected on his defeat to Callen McAulay in Paisley in April 2018. “I was carrying extra weight and attempted to shed it by going for a run at four in the morning on the day of the fight. As a result, when it came time to step into the ring, I had depleted all my energy. A blow to the top of my head sent me crashing down on my knees.”
After participating in 79 consecutive fights, Hallett has only been stopped on one occasion. Recently, he managed to break a winless streak of nearly five years by outpointing Tyler Chambers at the York Hall on March 16.
Lee expressed, “Typically, when I experience victory, I feel excited. However, I was taken aback this time. There have been numerous instances where I believed I had a good chance of winning, only to witness it completely turn around.”
Last month in Coventry, he engaged in a fight against Ali Meesam, who was making his debut in Leicester.
“I believed I had emerged victorious in all the rounds,” Hallett expressed regarding the 39-38 points reversal. “I had my hand raised, and then I was unjustly deprived.”
According to Greaves, Lee can pose a significant challenge for anyone due to his occasional lack of motivation and lack of confidence. He tends to overthink everything and doesn’t allow himself to relax and let go, unlike Greaves.
Although he may not possess the same level of defensive intelligence as me, he is undoubtedly the most exceptional road player in the country from my perspective.
According to Hallett, York Hall is the place where he feels most at home, although he always finds himself fighting from the opposing corner.
Lee, the proud father of Macie (15) and Darcie (8), desires to conclude his career as a home fighter alongside his partner Michaela.
He expressed his desire to gather a small group of individuals and demonstrate his true essence to them.
GENADIJ KRAJEVSKIJ, 1-69
When Krajevskij and Ryan Broten met in Oldham, one of their winless records had to be broken. Krajevskij had lost all 67 matches, while Broten had lost all 3.
“When reminiscing about his points win, Krajevskij exclaimed, ‘I felt like a superstar! Everyone showered me with congratulations. It’s been ages since I last experienced such euphoria. Victories are hard to come by. When I face opponents on par with my skills, it’s a different story. However, I often find myself squaring off against individuals who have claimed seven or eight national titles. I engage in battles with exceptionally formidable opponents.'”
Krajevskij is a tough man himself.
At the age of 21, he departed Lithuania for England alongside two companions.
He exclaimed that it was truly incredible to begin with.
We caught a glimpse of Big Ben, a sight we had only ever witnessed on the television. However, our existence took a turn for the worse. It wasn’t truly living; it felt more like mere survival. Our abode consisted of an abandoned building, devoid of electricity. I slept on a filthy mattress, frequently awoken by the biting cold. Desperate circumstances forced us to resort to stealing bacon from the shops, as we had no other options available to us.
We were devoid of any companions, lacked any influential contacts, and had no employment opportunities. While my two acquaintances succumbed to defeat and returned home, I refused to yield. I embody resilience and fortitude as an individual.
After establishing a relationship, he was introduced to someone who recommended a relocation to Liverpool. Following this advice, Krajevskij found employment on a farm located in Southport.
He shared, “The experience was quite challenging and demanding. I had an unpleasant boss who would often say, ‘If you don’t put in more effort, there’s no point in showing up tomorrow.’ Additionally, since it was a seasonal job, I found myself unemployed with no income after just two months.”
Krajevskij found employment at a well-known discount store and reignited his passion for boxing.
“I dabbled a bit in my homeland,” he recounted. “A friend of mine, living on the same street, managed to clinch the Lithuanian title twice. He invited me to join him at the gym. It was all just casual fun. I was young and carefree, with parties and girls involved…”
After Krajevskij relocated to Liverpool, Wayne Smith became his neighbor and suggested the idea of returning to boxing.
Krajevskij embarked on the white-collar circuit, proudly declaring, “With a salary ranging from £100 to £150, I managed to secure a prestigious title.”
Despite being Mickey Mouse, I proved myself to be a champion by emerging victorious in 27 out of 28 fights. Encouraged by my success, someone suggested that I give amateur boxing a shot.
After securing victory in four out of six matches, he unexpectedly encountered former professional boxer Shea Neary.
He advised Krajevskij, saying, “You possess great strength, but amateur boxing alone won’t cover your expenses. It would be more beneficial for you to become a journeyman.”
Krajevskij answered: “What’s a journeyman?”
He found out the hard way.
He expressed, “I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘What’s going on?’ I’ve triumphed in unlicensed and amateur fights before, but now I’m experiencing defeat.”
I realized that they were on another level altogether. They had been involved in boxing since the tender age of six or seven, thereby acquiring superior skills. While one can always hit the gym and improve their fitness level, it was evident that they simply outmatched me in terms of ability.
Krajevskij persevered and finally reaped the benefits when he defeated Broten.
Krajevksij, who is employed at a security firm led by former professional Stephen Harkin, reflected, “I’ve come a long way, and those around me often express that I should take pride in my accomplishments.”
“My goal is to feel a sense of pride once I achieve the ownership of a house along with a mortgage.”
Krajevskij in action
