Originally posted by GhostofDempsey
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Most of those guys didn't win titles because they were never allowed an opportunity to fight for the title due to racial politics of their era. Entirely different to Gatti who had many chances but simply wasnt good enough.
I wouldn't say there was a defining standard. You take it on a case by case basis. By my book Gatti is at least several levels below the standard you need to be to get into the hall.
Put this into context Ceferino Garcia has not been inducted despite being the recognised MW champion of the World. He knocked out MW great (and yes, HoFer) Fred Apostoli to gain the title. He also holds 2 wins over hall of famer Lloyd Marshall, and another win over HoFer Billy Soose. Plus a draw and a loss vs the ATG Henry Armstrong, admittedly thr draw was at a weight Armstrong shouldn't have been near. And several losses to the ATG Barney Ross. So that's 3-3-1 just vs inductees.
Already that is miles better than Gattis record. Then you factor in the slew of contenders he fought, many of which he beat, during his career. Men like Kid Azteca, Aaron Wade, Izzy Jannazo, Young Peter Jackson, Baby Joe Gans, Al Manfredo and probably more if you knew the era better than me.
Garcia cant get into the Hall, but Gatti can? Because he got smashed about a lot? Im not saying CG should get in (his sort of career should be about the borderline imo), but it certainly cheapens the whole project having the likes of Arturo Gatti in there.
Putting Gatti in basically opens the door to putting a whole load of relatively poor, but exciting and regionally popular fighters. Was a bad decision and one i doubt would have been made if the voters had had more time to consider his career.
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