Does Arturo Gatti belong in the IBHOF?

[Eastbay Giant]

RIP but no he doesn't. He belongs in the New Jersey sports HOF but not the boxing HOF. He had great fights but two average fighters combining for 3 of the best fights ever does not make either HOF worthy.

It would be cool if they each donated a pair of gloves and the HOF put something up about the trilogy with ward.

He has a better argument than Sylvester Stallone...

[fitefanSHO]

He has a better argument than Sylvester Stallone...

They are in TOTALLY different induction categories.

Gatti...was a FIGHTER.

Stallone...was an OBSERVER.

[Gojira]

NO???!!!!!

Some people are just plain ******ed. There shall never be a fight like Ward-Gatti I again in the history of the sport. if Sylvester Stallone can get inducted for making a film, Gatti should be in without a doubt.

[StopBlocking]

Whether you even like him or not, get much of a kick out of watching him or not, only a fool denies the rare combination of elements he was.

A combination of what?

GTFO with that ****. You don't judge what a man does to define himself in such ridiculously clinical, yet disingenuous, terms. Do you even feel boxing?

This is the dumbest thing iv'e ever read. Just because you use big words does not make you sound intelligent. Even on the IBHOF official website it says "Our mission is to honor the achievements of those who excelled". Now I will ask you once more, what did Gatti excel in besides taking punishment aka "wars"? If you answer this question I will leave the topic alone.

You can try to sanitize two shirtless men beating each other in a ring, smooth off some of the rough edges, but it is, and always will be, what it is - organized brutality. Gatti's ring persona wasn't some contrived gimmick, it was a reflection of who he was, his failings calling upon his strengths to keep him on his feet and in the fight.

The Science of Boxing is to hit and not get hit. He called upon his "strengths to keep him on his feet and fight" largely on his own faults (GETTING HIT!). I'm glad you don't have a HOF vote because every boxer you had empathy for would be enshrined.

[fitefanSHO]

And for people who knock Gatti as not having enough "skill" and/or "ability"...

Boxing "skills" and "abilities" (at least IMO) include ability to take a punch (Gatti possessed this skill in epic quan******), ability to rise from knockdowns (Gatti possessed this skill in epic quan******), ability to fight though pain, (Gatti possessed this skill in epic quan******), ability to win fights when normal men would have long ago packed it in...

Look a little closer and clearly Gatti possessed HOF skills and abilities.

Nevermind his ability to put asses in seats (that's the FAME part)

[StopBlocking]

I'm a Valero fan - am I saying he should go in a boxing HOF? No. So fuck off, ****.

When did I say anything about you claiming Valero should be in the HOF? I stated my case that people often elevate the deceased to a higher greatness than when they were alive. Read better

[Pastrano]

Yes, he does. He has beaten several top class opponents (Tracy Patterson, Gabe Ruelas, Teron Millett (he dethroned Vince Phillips), Micky Ward, Leonard Dorin) and he really lived and breathed for the sport. And bled, of course.Gatti forever.

[StopBlocking]

And for people who knock Gatti as not having enough "skill" and/or "ability"...

Boxing "skills" and "abilities" (at least IMO) include ability to take a punch (Gatti possessed this skill in epic quan******), ability to rise from knockdowns (Gatti possessed this skill in epic quan******), ability to fight though pain, (Gatti possessed this skill in epic quan******), ability to win fights when normal men would have long ago packed it in...

Look a little closer and clearly Gatti possessed HOF skills and abilities.

Nevermind his ability to put asses in seats (that's the FAME part)

All the things you named are impressive but fall under one category, heart. How many of the things you named were because of Gatti's own inability to "protect himself at all times"? I counted all of them. I'm no Arturo hater but let's be real.

[fitefanSHO]

Yes, he does. He has beaten several top class opponents (Tracy Patterson, Gabe Ruelas, Teron Millett (he dethroned Vince Phillips), Micky Ward, Leonard Dorin) and he really lived and breathed for the sport. And bled, of course.Gatti forever.

You beat me too it, I was gonna say...

Gatti also beat some pretty decent fighters...

Tracy Harris Patterson (twice)
Calvin Grove (who KO'd HOF'er Jeff Fenech)
Gabriel Ruelas
Terron Millett
Micky Ward (twice)
Gianluca Branco (who was undefeated)
Leonard Dorin (who was also undefeated)
Jesse James Leija

[The Big Dunn]

You beat me too it, I was gonna say...

Gatti also beat some pretty decent fighters...

Tracy Harris Patterson (twice)
Calvin Grove (who KO'd HOF'er Jeff Fenech)
Gabriel Ruelas
Terron Millett
Micky Ward (twice)
Gianluca Branco (who was undefeated)
Leonard Dorin (who was also undefeated)
Jesse James Leija

Beating decent fighters doesn't make you a HOF fighter when you get demolished by every great fighter you face.