Cliff’s Notes on The 2009 Hall of Fame Vote

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By Cliff Rold - Recently, fellow BoxingScene scribe Lyle Fitzsimmons offered an excellent look at this year’s International Boxing Hall of Fame ballot, listing all of the fighters, some of their key accomplishments, and his own choices.

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[JakeNDaBox]

Great stuff, Cliff. I agree pretty much with most of your list, if not in the same order. You and I seem to be on the outside looking in, in terms of Canizales making it. I just don't see him as a first-ballot entry.

His outright refusal to unify always left a bad taste in my mouth, and longevity aside, his resume is pretty damn ordinary (not to mention the blatant hometown gift he got against Reyes in his record-setting defense).

He'll go in eventually, and deservedly so, but I'm surprised that so many give him a free pass. Unless I'm reading too much into his latest article, William Detloff has no problem voting for Canizales, yet had reservations about putting a check next to Lennox Lewis' name?!

[crold1]

I see nothing in his resume to suggest he should go in before guys with similar accomplishments and similar flawed resumes who have been on the ballot years ahead of him. It's geography instead of merit...I hate that.

[Scott Sebastian]

Billy Soose

What ever happened to Billy Soose being on the ballot. The Book "Billy Soose The Champion Time Forgot" By Tom Donelson and Rusty Rubin, tells of the accomplishments this champion achieved and changed boxing history. He was the Uncrowned Middleweight Champion, beating Tony Zale and Ken Overlin in non title bouts within 28 days.

[crold1]

I spoke with a higher up in the BWAA that mentioned a movement to get Soose on the ballot.

[The Count]

If you're going to vote for Brian Mitchell, then how about Genaro Hernandez, who also held WBA and WBC 130-pound titles for five years and lost only two fights -- to certain first ballot Hall of Famers Floyd Mayweather and Oscar de la Hoya? They had one common title fight opponent, Daniel Londos. Mitchell won a close 15-round decision, Hernandez stopped him in nine, winning every round along the way. Hernandez also outpointed a Hall of Famer, Azumah Nelson, something Mitchell never did. How does 39-2, losing only to Floyd and Oscar, and holding a world title for five years not make a ripple?

[crold1]

Don't ask me; I don't pick whose on the ballot and he's not on it yet. If he was, I'd seriously think about it. As to Nelson, beating Zumah near 40 is nice but it's not a huge feather in the cap whether Mitchell faced him or not.

[Thread Stealer]

Yes, Lloyd Marshall should definitely be in there. Wins over about half a dozen guys in Canastota.