Top 25 Non-HOF Boxers of All-Time

[JAB5239]

I used to consider Kalambay and Nunn borderline and still could; they're right there with Curry. I think they deserve to hear a vote, same as Eubank and Benn.

Carnera? That might be the worst idea I've ever heard for the Hall. Not enough quality and too much (rightful) speculation that his big wins were fixed and he was made to look a joke against top guys when it was clearly on the up.

I'm sticking with Jeffra as the biggest miss for right now. World titles in two weight classes, won five of six from Escobar, and was already in the old Ring Hall.

His wins over Sharkey and Schaff were legit. His win over Laughran was probably legit also considering Tommy had a broken foot. I would also think the Uzcudun fight was on the up and up but I've never seen it to make the judgment for myself.

His road to the title is obviously questioned, but I think Carnerra was better than given credit for. His courage during the Baer and Louis fights is something I think is overlooked that I give him major credit for.

Everything taken into consideration he's still borderline though. His resume is still better than some who are already in.

[mickey malone]

His wins over Sharkey and Schaff were legit. His win over Laughran was probably legit also considering Tommy had a broken foot. I would also think the Uzcudun fight was on the up and up but I've never seen it to make the judgment for myself.

His road to the title is obviously questioned, but I think Carnerra was better than given credit for. His courage during the Baer and Louis fights is something I think is overlooked that I give him major credit for.

Everything taken into consideration he's still borderline though. His resume is still better than some who are already in.

Carnera does get a bit underrated.. Everyone remembers him as once holding the record for being the tallest boxing champ, but since the emergence of Valuev etc, that record has long gone.. But one record that doesn't look like ever being beaten is the 69 KO victories he scored throughout his career which is more than any other HW champion in history..

[TheGreatA]

Carnera was one of the first to have a "built" career. This doesn't necessarily mean all his fights were fixes, just that his opponents were hand-picked as is most often the case today. Do you think they had to pay some 180 lbs tomato can to take a dive against a near 100 lbs bigger man? Not really.

Out of all the film I've seen of Carnera, the only su****ious fight is against George Godfrey. Again, not because it's seemingly fixed, but because Carnera receives a questionable DQ win, although Godfrey was known for hitting people low. Before that Godfrey was trying to take Carnera's head off with right hand haymakers. Is this any worse than the treatment some German fighters have received in recent times? Sven Ottke for example who is being considered for the IBHOF.

Of course having Carnera in the hall of fame may look bad because of his reputation but was he that bad compared to Jess Willard who is already in the hall of fame? I wouldn't say so. And Carnera has a better list of confirmed legit wins than Willard did. Willard had the win over old Jack Johnson and little else. He disgraced the championship by holding it hostage for 4 years. Carnera for all his faults was a fighting champion who fought the best.

[crold1]

Carnera was one of the first to have a "built" career. This doesn't necessarily mean all his fights were fixes, just that his opponents were hand-picked as is most often the case today. Do you think they had to pay some 180 lbs tomato can to take a dive against a near 100 lbs bigger man? Not really.

Out of all the film I've seen of Carnera, the only su****ious fight is against George Godfrey. Again, not because it's seemingly fixed, but because Carnera receives a questionable DQ win, although Godfrey was known for hitting people low. Before that Godfrey was trying to take Carnera's head off with right hand haymakers. Is this any worse than the treatment some German fighters have received in recent times? Sven Ottke for example who is being considered for the IBHOF.

Of course having Carnera in the hall of fame may look bad because of his reputation but was he that bad compared to Jess Willard who is already in the hall of fame? I wouldn't say so. And Carnera has a better list of confirmed legit wins than Willard did. Willard had the win over old Jack Johnson and little else. He disgraced the championship by holding it hostage for 4 years. Carnera for all his faults was a fighting champion who fought the best.

Considering the number of fighters who genuinely deserve to be in, Carnera would be an awful choice. Willard being in was a mistake; no need to compact it.

[TheGreatA]

Considering the number of fighters who genuinely deserve to be in, Carnera would be an awful choice. Willard being in was a mistake; no need to compact it.

Carnera wouldn't make my hall of fame either but I don't think he's such a horrible choice considering the fighters who are already in. I think he gets a bad reputation based on unproven rumours. Him being inducted into the boxing hall of fame would be a nice tribute to a man who has been made to be a joke and a circus act. He could fight.

However I agree that there are more deserving fighters. For example Newsboy Brown defeated Baby Arizmendi, Midget Wolgast, Chalky Wright, Panama Al Brown, Frankie Genaro, five hall of famers and a bunch of other good fighters. Successfully competed from flyweight up to featherweight.

[GJC]

I'd like to see Terry Downes and Freddie Mills in there too but will put my hand up to being biased there.

[crold1]

I'd like to see Terry Downes and Freddie Mills in there too but will put my hand up to being biased there.

In the right year, I'd vote for Mills. Strongly considered him this year.

[The Iron Man]

Alot of worthy names have been mentioned.

But i havent seen Mike Tyson, surley he deserves a shout?

[crold1]

Alot of worthy names have been mentioned.

But i havent seen Mike Tyson, surley he deserves a shout?

He's just coming into eligibility and most expect an easy first time nod.

[asero831]

Ernesto Marcel please