Are these fighters Hall of Famers?

[prinzemanspopa]

What does it mean or take to be a member of the IBHOF? I seriously couldn't tell you.

I loved Arturo Gatti fights. Always a fan favorite win/lose/draw he came to fight, but if you put him in the Hall of Fame, all of the above should be in the Hall of Fame as well.

They've been lowering the bar for several years now. Barry McGuigan and Ingermar Johansson were the previous punching bags for the IBHOF critics, but they were a lot better than Gatti ever was.



It's why I cringe when a fan of a certain fighter will cite his wins and then cite one of his wins as being a hall of famer, as if that somehow validates his quality.

[TyrantT316]

Miguel Cotto - maybe, maybe more sentiment. He beat some decent undefeated and good record guys as well as Mosley and Judah. Margarito revenge helps him too along with his titles from 140-154. However his lack of that one career defining victory may hurt him. The Margarito victory was a big step. Beating someone on a roll and dominating like a Martinez would help him.

Ricky Hatton - yes, his run up to Kostya and beating Kostya when many expected him out of there by the third round. Couple that with his popularity, style, titles and undefeated streak before Mayweather, and he's just there.

Sergio Martinez - yes, the Chavez victory helped, but now people are creating an opponent in GGG that would supposedly solidify his claim. His three year run so far as the top MW (despite the GGG hype) help him. Lack of exposure and a celebrated career before Pavlik hurt him. GGG is hype and detractors may downplay a victory by him there. But it would go a long way to help his case at retaining that title of best MW and extend his years of dominance.

Zab Judah - borderline a sentiment there and if Gatti got in (albeit based on sentiment as well), then Zab at least unified the Welterweight titles. Other than that, he lost all of his biggest fights after having had A LOT of chances (Kostya, Spinks I, Mayweather, Clottey, Khan, Garcia, Cotto). Spinks II was his defining victory, Baldomir was his lowest point, he needs a good name or decent 140-154lb title run to help.

Antonio Tarver - borderline, while not stellar, he did defeat Roy Jones Jr twice (ko in spectacular fashion), beat Johnson x2, Griffin, Woods and Harding. Those were the limited LHW names in his short run and he beat them all. Hopkins loss and lack of sustained dominance hurt him. Plus, his KO2 of Roy Jones Jr. still has people in shock and hating.


Gatti entering really lowered the bar to "sentiment" level. So it is a little easier to force a "YES" for many guys.

[puga]

cotto definitely

hatton too

thats it..

[BattlingNelson]

Cotto.

Others might get in, but they shouldn't.

[Jloro]

Sergio should.

[lx!!]

I'd say only Cotto, but that's just my opinion

[BIG GUNZ]

Cotto - yes easily

Hatton - could go either way. If he gets in that's fine, if not than that's fine too

Martinez - yes he's had some very good wins & is a very skilled fighter

Judah - No. I was actually going to make a thread about if he should get in or not. The problem is whenever he stepped up & faced a real challenge he lost 90% of the time. He's a very good fighter, but he just doesn't have a very good resume in terms of wins. Even one of his best wins is very debatable in terms of whether he even won the fight or not.

Tarver - Could go either way. He has a pretty good resume. He beat Jones Jr. twice when Jr. was at the end of his prime. Problem is his career ended in a very bad way due to the drug use. That's not a good way to be viewed at the end of your career. It makes people doubt his previous accomplishments, so I don't know if he'll get in.

[RlCKY]

Miguel Cotto

Ricky Hatton

Sergio Martinez

Zab Judah

Antonio Tarver


are any??if so which ones are?

Nope. None of them.

Unless you think those guys are in the league with These guys

118 names since 1943...about 2 fighters a year.

At THAT rate, there's no room for those guys. When you have Floyd, Pac, Hopkins, Jones, K-bros, JMM (who isn't 100% for me at least), ETC., that are likely on their way in.

I just don't think the exclusivity of that club allows the Hattons and Tarvers of the world in the Hall. Martinez, Judah, and Cotto aren't done yet; but I think they aren't likely to do anything to change my mind.

[GeneralZod]

Nope. None of them.

Unless you think those guys are in the league with These guys

Well they did just put Gatti in.


I'd say Tarver is the closest if we're judging by when they will be. I'd say the rest will/could follow. I don't see Zab happening though.

[prinzemanspopa]

Nope. None of them.

Unless you think those guys are in the league with These guys

118 names since 1943...about 2 fighters a year.

At THAT rate, there's no room for those guys. When you have Floyd, Pac, Hopkins, Jones, K-bros, JMM (who isn't 100% for me at least), ETC., that are likely on their way in.

I just don't think the exclusivity of that club allows the Hattons and Tarvers of the world in the Hall. Martinez, Judah, and Cotto aren't done yet; but I think they aren't likely to do anything to change my mind.

Why would you have reservations about Marquez but none about including both Klitschko brothers? Both Juan and his brother are unquestionably better than Vitali.