Denis Lebedev - deserved to be HOF Cruiserweight or not?

[g27region]

Or american fans doesn't care about cruiserweight division as long as there's no relevant american fighters here?

[Redd Foxx]

I'm an American who watches cruisers but I don't know what the requirements are for a formality like HOF for a specific weight class. I've honestly never paid much attention to those things. I'm more into the science than the politics.
I guess the best answer I can give is "I think so".

[g27region]

I'm an American who watches cruisers but I don't know what the requirements are for a formality like HOF for a specific weight class. I've honestly never paid much attention to those things. I'm more into the science than the politics.
I guess the best answer I can give is "I think so".

It's not about politics. The fact is cruiserweight division is extremely underrated, for whatever reason, I feel like it's not fair. I can't understand why a lot of fans doesn't appreciate this weight class so I'm trying to understand and find any explanations why it's not getting any attention from fans. Maybe because of the fact that it's european division or there's some other reason why, but it is what it is

[Redd Foxx]

It's not about politics. The fact is cruiserweight division is extremely underrated, for whatever reason, I feel like it's not fair. I can't understand why a lot of fans doesn't appreciate this weight class so I'm trying to understand and find any explanations why it's not getting any attention from fans. Maybe because of the fact that it's european division or there's some other reason why, but it is what it is

I'm not using the word "politics" in a negative or sarcastic way, I'm using it in the literal sense meaning, "the process of making decisions applying to all members of each group."

I've said before that Americans are unaware of the division right now, not because they're only interested in Americans, but because most of those fights are taking place in EU on what is a Saturday afternoon in the states. Some of us hardcores stream them but the American public doesn't get the exposure if they're not getting played at night.

When they take place out here, Americans watch them. Take Usyk for example. Unfortunately, his American fights have not been his best showings but Americans are already aware who he is and they're talking about him after just 2 fights on American soil. Unfortunately, a great fight like Usyk vs Gassiev would never take place here and it's not big enough to get the Show/HBO afternoon play or evening replay.

[g27region]

I've said before that Americans are unaware of the division right now, not because they're only interested in Americans, but because most of those fights are taking place in EU on what is a Saturday afternoon in the states. Some of us hardcores stream them but the American public doesn't get the exposure if they're not getting played at night.

Yeah, that might be the reason.

Lebedev is not getting a lot of credit even from Russian boxing fans, for some reason they don't like boxers who signed with Russian promotions (with Ryabinsky, to be exact) - fighters who's making moves in America gets more respect from them, and these fans, they don't like so called "home champions" who keeps belts hostage in their home country, (Troyanovsky or Flanagan might be good examples) and scared to take challenges on the foreign soil. These fans weren't taking Lebedev serious after the fight against zombie version of Roy Jones, but after that fight Lebedev proved he's a solid fighter

So if he's not getting credit from Russian and American fans, I have a doubt his career will be really appreciated after his retirement. It's almost as disappointing as seeing HOF talent being mismanaged (Rigondeaux)

[Thraxox]

The one who unified and become undisputed in the cruiserweight division back in 04 should be a hof. And Thompson also deserved to be a hof (dunno if he is a hof right now.)

[Redd Foxx]

Bumping thing because I'm curious how people feel about Lebedev.

[SensFullViolenc]

The OP is correct -- many of us Americans dont follow CW closely, bc so many of the top fights happen overseas

I will admit that Im not incredibly familiar with his career. My immediate reaction was hell no, but Im seeing alot of names on his resume in boxrec., Maccarenilli back when he was still good, Huck (a L) Guillermo Jones (L), Kayode.

But, not I dont think so. For the most part, the good names on his resume are Ls. So no, not HOF IMO.

[g27region]

The OP is correct -- many of us Americans dont follow CW closely, bc so many of the top fights happen overseas

I will admit that Im not incredibly familiar with his career. My immediate reaction was hell no, but Im seeing alot of names on his resume in boxrec., Maccarenilli back when he was still good, Huck (a L) Guillermo Jones (L), Kayode.

But, not I dont think so. For the most part, the good names on his resume are Ls. So no, not HOF IMO.

That L against Guillermo Jones wasn't even legit if my memory serves. Jones was caught juicing

[Sun_Tzu]

Anyone who knocked out RJ is a first ballot hall of famer imo!!