Arturo Gatti elected into hall of fame

[Forza]

All the gatti hate is anti-italian racism

[Rumsfeld]

Originally Posted by jeffjoiner

Stallone was inducted as a contributor, a non-participant who has added to the sport. Several others have been elected this way, Stallone is just the most famous one. His was a very legitimate induction and done in the proper way.

Agreed, and missed this post before I had written my previous one.

[Forza]

I bet you bums think cotto is an ATG too. Prime gatti would eat cotto for breakfast if they went toe to toe.

[techks]

I don't get him being "great to watch". He repeatedly took punches and neglected actually "boxing". I do respect his heart and hope his family well but putting him in just further proves how watered down the Hall is getting. Yes there will be debatable selections but this is ridiculous. Being elected just for being exciting? Are Maidana and Arce next?

That said RIP Gatti and again I hope his family is doing fine.

[Leonit]

Originally Posted by victor879

Shouldn't be in.

Boxing Hall of Fame really needs to up their criteria. Too late now. If you let Gatti in, there are literally hundreds of other fighters you should let in as well.

Just IMO. Never felt Gatti was HoF material. But I guess they let just about anybody in now.

don't worry they up their criteria on all the Asian fighters from the lower classes. Gatti shouldn't be there IMAO

[PityTheFool]

I've already discussed this on two other threads and taken a few pelters along the way,but Gatti should not be a first ballot induction because to outsiders,it puts him on the same level as Leonard and Hearns.
Being exciting and brave should not mean first ballot entry.
Why not start an induction in his honour that specifies entertainment value and/or courage in the ring as criteria?
As someone said,this cheapens first ballot induction and sets a bad precedent.
Someone actually tried to point out that it's the hall of FAME,as if that makes it ok.

[PityTheFool]

Originally Posted by jeffjoiner

Stallone was inducted as a contributor, a non-participant who has added to the sport. Several others have been elected this way, Stallone is just the most famous one. His was a very legitimate induction and done in the proper way.

Superb post Jeff.
Stallone probably brought more people into the sport in the 20 years after the first film than any fighter you care to mention,so a non participant induction is richly deserved.

[J Griz 757]

Originally Posted by jeffjoiner

Gatti was/is my favorite fighter. He transcended the sport in many ways and I am happy he made it in.

I completely understand the point of view that his in ring accomplishments don't measure up, though.

Pretty much this for me.

I WANT to lean toward the "fame" argument, as what Gatti did for the sport was great, but I can admit Gatti was never a truly elite fighter.

I think mixed with his untimely death / fame, and the respect most boxing folk have for him simply got him in.

[LoRd_inFamousX1]

Originally Posted by PrinceN

total BS putting a C level fighter in the Hall of fame

[LoRd_inFamousX1]

Originally Posted by Forza

I bet you bums think cotto is an ATG too. Prime gatti would eat cotto for breakfast if they went toe to toe.

I hope you're joking

[Porgeous Porge]

Gatti won titles at 2 weights

he also participated in what 4 FOTY's I think like Basilio is the only other guy who ever did that

that alone is HOF right there

he fought the best, brought his best, had an old school style and was a fan favorite

you give me a good reason why he shouldnt be

[Stylez G.]

Originally Posted by PityTheFool

Superb post Jeff.
Stallone probably brought more people into the sport in the 20 years after the first film than any fighter you care to mention,so a non participant induction is richly deserved.

Perhaps the baseball HOF should elect Charlie Sheen as a contributer. The movie Major League brought a lot of attention to the sport, and Charlie Sheen's character was great.

[Stylez G.]

Originally Posted by Porgeous Porge

Gatti won titles at 2 weights

he also participated in what 4 FOTY's I think like Basilio is the only other guy who ever did that

that alone is HOF right there

he fought the best, brought his best, had an old school style and was a fan favorite

you give me a good reason why he shouldnt be

Zab Judah is something like an 8 time champion across two divisons. He was an undisputed champ at WW, and fought way better fighters than Gatti. Let's put him in the Hall.

[J Griz 757]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure less deserving people have been elected to the hall before, so considering Gatti was who he was in the ring I really don't see why the fact he is in is so hard to swallow (no pun intended) for so many.

But obviously to each their own, that's why we debate