What do you think? Please be unbiased and consider his record, strength of opposition, number of world titles won, and what he has done for boxing when making your decision.
I still dont understand why people think he should get in, I mean for what getting hit alot, the gatti ward fights were really entertaining but in the end there was no skill involved in those fights, losing bad to all the great fighters he ever faced and any of his good wins were hand picked opponents, I still think gatti is a c+ fighter at best, and dont think it would be fair to let him in the HOF because he has alot of heart and is a popluar fighter.
I'd put him in. It's the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Accomplishment. Gatti was one of those guys who took boxing beyond a mere sport and turned it into a metaphor of life.
nah, its definitely not that, its that he can take so much and still come out fighting. Greatest chin in the sports history.
It's more his heart and recovery than his chin. Gatti gets rocked or hurt pretty easily, often by guys who aren't big punchers, but he's very tough to put away.
I'm not sure. Really, I can see a point for either case.
On one hand, he's been in AMAZING fights, has a GREAT trilogy on record, and won it. Beat some decent opposition, had lengthy winning streaks. Remember, before he was DISMANTLED by De La Hoya, he was big shit. He just let the partying get to him. He made a lot of money (meaning, he was entertaining, not saying you should be able to "buy yourself into the Hall Of Fame") and his boxing skills are actually pretty underrated. When Buddy had him for two or three fights, he was his best, in terms of BOXING. And NO MATTER the opponent (99 % of the time) if you win numerous fights with a broken hand, and still throw it, you have to be AT LEAST a decent boxer.
Then, on the other hand, he was very easy to hit during most of his career. His opposition, was good, but not great. He never dominated a big name, nor a division. And I don't remember him winning a TRUE world title.
I'd lean towards No, but I wouldn't be outraged if he was allowed in. He's gave me some great moments, I think he at least partially deserves his own.
I think Gatti will be judged more on how he trancended the sport than his actual in the ring accomplishments. He brought in the casual boxing fan and helped the sport tremendously. Let alone the FOTY he has been apart of.
2 titles in 2 divisions
Bet some very good fighters in Patterson (twice) Ruelas, Dorin, Millet
Bobby Chacon is a simliar fighter and he is in, maybe Chacon had better in the ring accomplishments but Gatti like I said before transended to the sport more. And there r far more laughable ppl in the Hall.
Actually I wouldnt be opposed to the idea of ward and gatti goin into Hall as a duel event or something. Might be good PR for boxing.
Who knows though, its a tough call
All I know is I miss Gatti already and cant imagine boxing without him
Hell Ray Mancini should go in before Gatti. he was tooth and nail with the best of his time (Boza, Arguello, Camacho). Gatti's performances against the elite were laughable.
Mancini & Boza never fought. Are you thinking of Bramble ?
I noticed something when Gatti was about to get knocked out. The fans were going wild when he was getting pummeled. Something about that bothered me. Its like his fans like him just because he takes punishment.
nah, its definitely not that, its that he can take so much and still come out fighting. Greatest chin in the sports history.
Hell Ray Mancini should go in before Gatti. he was tooth and nail with the best of his time (Boza, Arguello, Camacho). Gatti's performances against the elite were laughable.
No with a caveat. He'll likely get in because HOF voting is East coast dominated to the nth BUT if he gets in how can one explain Nigel Benn not being on the ballot? Seriously...Benn had the same quality wars but at a MUCH higher level and actually was in the fights with his best foes.
In addition to Nigel Benn, Donald Curry, Iran Barkley (another East Coast fighter) and Marlon Starling should also get in before Arturo does.
No with a caveat. He'll likely get in because HOF voting is East coast dominated to the nth BUT if he gets in how can one explain Nigel Benn not being on the ballot? Seriously...Benn had the same quality wars but at a MUCH higher level and actually was in the fights with his best foes.
Truth.
Gatti was a very good boxer and a very good brawler. He wasn't good enough at either to be in any HOF though.
No with a caveat. He'll likely get in because HOF voting is East coast dominated to the nth BUT if he gets in how can one explain Nigel Benn not being on the ballot? Seriously...Benn had the same quality wars but at a MUCH higher level and actually was in the fights with his best foes.
I noticed something when Gatti was about to get knocked out. The fans were going wild when he was getting pummeled. Something about that bothered me. Its like his fans like him just because he takes punishment.
No, he doesn't belong. The victories aren't there. He's never dominated a division, or beaten any one division's best fighter (s).
Extrememly exciting ? Yes. Good for the sport ? Unquestionably.
Great ? Not even close
i aint voting, but i will say this gatti has had some hall of fame fights, but a hall of fame fighter, i just don't see that.
it's a tough one to call when you consider his multiple FOTY's and the drama plus excitement that he brought to his fights but as far as his whole career, no he isnt a hall of famer, everytime he's stepped up in class he's lost, except once and that was against patterson.
exciting and dramatic? yes. hall of famer? eh, 85% no, 10% yes, 5% maybe in some special category but then that would dilute the integrity of the hall of fame if they made up special places for lower echelon fighters..............how about an honorable mention in the hall of fame?????