Jake Pollard: Boxing’s Most Unusual Career
Have you ever encountered a professional boxer with a 1-100 record? Such a fighter exists – and he’s Englishman Jake Pollard, whose career defies all conventional boxing wisdom.
The Ultimate Journeyman
Pollard began his professional boxing journey in 2018, yet has already competed in 101 fights. The Bradford native describes himself as a “professional journeyman” – boxers brought in to give promising opponents experience while building their own unconventional careers.
The First 50 Fights: Setting the Stage
During his first five years in the sport, the 33-year-old Pollard fought 50 times, primarily against British debutants. All 50 contests took place within the UK, and nearly all ended in defeat. But something unexpected happened in his milestone 50th fight.
The Shocking Victory
Pollard faced debutant Louis Smithson, who had transitioned from MMA. Before the bout, strange ranking changes occurred on BoxRec, which elevated Pollard from his 0-49 record by 400 positions to 804th place. Rumors suggested bookmakers slightly increased his odds of winning.
In his anniversary fight, against all expectations, Pollard survived and claimed victory. Smithson, who might have considered retirement after such a loss, was reportedly emotional in the ring. “Imagine being the only guy who lost to him,” fans joked.
Revenge and Records
Smithson eventually gained revenge, defeating Pollard a couple of months later. Ironically, Pollard remains the only boxer Smithson has ever beaten – Smithson lost his subsequent eight fights.
The Century of Defeats
Recently, Pollard suffered his 100th career loss – a second-round knockout to Hassan Ishak. Despite now riding a 51-fight losing streak, he achieved the milestone of fighting at London’s prestigious O2 Arena. The bout occurred on the undercard of the Parker-Wardley headline event.
Accelerated Activity
After his 50th fight, Pollard’s activity increased dramatically – 51 fights in just three years. He occasionally ventured beyond UK borders, with 17 fights already in 2025 alone: four in October and another scheduled for December.
The Decision Specialist
Interestingly, Pollard almost always loses by decision: of his 51 recent defeats, only two came by knockout, while 49 were judges’ decisions – suggesting remarkable durability despite the results.
Undying Passion
Even after a century of defeats, Pollard’s love for boxing remains undiminished: “I love what I do. And I need boxing just as much as boxing needs me.” His unique perspective highlights the diverse paths within professional sports.
