International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2011

[hhascup]

CANASTOTA, N.Y.—Mike Tyson, whose meteoric rise to the pinnacle of boxing and stunning fall from grace was legendary, was selected Tuesday for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum.

Three-division champion Julio Cesar Chavez of Mexico and Russian-born Kostya Tszyu, a junior welterweight champion, also were selected along with Mexican trainer Ignacio (Nacho) Beristain, referee Joe Cortez, and actor/screenwriter Sylvester Stallone.

Posthumous honourees to be enshrined on June 12 include: bantamweight Memphis Pal Moore, light heavyweight champion Jack Root, and middleweight Dave Shade in the old-timer category; British heavyweight John Gully in the pioneer category; promoter A.F. Bettinson; and broadcaster Harry Carpenter.

Inductees were voted on by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians.

[Joey Giardello]

Kosta tszyu made naseem hamed should of made it

[The_Demon]

Good too see Tsyzu there,very underrated fighter

[Scott9945]

Kosta tszyu made naseem hamed should of made it

Both of them belong in the HOF. Even if someone thinks Hamed was overrated (and I don't), he brought a lot of money into the sport. He also was an innovator for ring entrances. Hamed brought HBO into the lower weight classes. We might not be seeing Montiel-Donaire without him. And (along with the Klitschko's) he put the WBO on the map. Not that he did boxing any favors with that, but it shows his influence on boxing.

[NChristo]

Why the **** is Stallone in.

[BigStereotype]

Hell of a class...until I saw Stallone. I love Rocky as much as anybody, but really? Kevin Costner isn't in Cooperstown and shouldn't ever be.

[Scott9945]

Why the **** is Stallone in.

I've never been on the "Rocky" bandwagon, but that movie definitely did create a lot of interest and new fans for boxing.

[Wild Blue Yonda]

Tszyu as a first-ballot entrant is pretty damn appalling. There is a legitimate case he doesn't even deserve induction, period (I don't agree, but the chance to play Devil's Advocate is there). To induct him now is just weak...

[Heavy Bag]

Still no Eddie Booker, Newsboy Brown, or Willie Joyce?

[Scott9945]

Tszyu as a first-ballot entrant is pretty damn appalling. There is a legitimate case he doesn't even deserve induction, period (I don't agree, but the chance to play Devil's Advocate is there). To induct him now is just weak...

I'm a little puzzled about the logic of making someone a fifth ballot entrant as opposed to a first ballot one. To me they are either worthy or they aren't. My only complaint would be that he doesn't belong there ahead of Hamed, IMO.