The official IBHOF class of 2018 ballot has been revealed:

Vitali belongs

45-2, 41 KO's

15-2 in title fights ( WBO, WBC, RING Magazine )

An all-time KO%. Among the best in history.

One of two heavyweight champions never to floored by a punch
The best rounds won vs. rounds lost ratio in the history of the sport among champions in ANY weight class. Perhaps the most impressive thing about him, no man gained more than three rounds won vs. him on any of his 141 scorecards.

One of the few boxers who could take years off and win a belt in his later 30's, keeping it past his 40th birthday.

 

Junior feather who moved up. Arbachakov stayed at flyweight.

 

VK never quite stamped his authority over the era, but I don't have an issue with him getting in. I just think other candidates might have had better cases over him on this list, is all.

 

Which ones? Other than Morales who lost a lot, I can't see one on the list.

The people voting are overwhelming from North America or the UK. No home town cookin' on these votes, and Vitali will always have his share of detractors for geopolitical reasons.

A good question is what percent of enshrines get in on their first ballot omitting the initial inductee class?

 

* Arbachakov who exerted clear and uninterrupted dominance for over a decade.
* Curry (unified WW, was p4p number 1)

Those would be the two that I would have chosen this year over VK.

 

True.

Yuri Arbachakov's problem is two fold. He only had 24 fight fights and all but one of them were in Japan. The video shows a powerhouse at flyweight.

The extreme lower weights have it tough ( unless they move up in weight ), and those who fought out of Asia have it ever tougher as the voters seldom see them.

 

Sven Ottke snubbed again. Interesting.

 

Curry probably lost to his best four opponents. He was a bit chinny ( KO'd five times ), and victim of an epic type of KO. He would have been a bit of reach. You can make a case for him over Wright. A borderline type to me.

I already commented on Arbachakov. Not enough fights ( just 24 ), average opposition, and to be honest, not all weight classes are created equal.

Yes, they are all fighters, but 112 pounds is sort of like a kicker on a Football team. Yes, in the game for sure, but in the eyes of the voters, not rated more important than the Quarterback or star defender.

 

Underrated post! Should already have like 50 likes.

 

That's ....quite stupid and disappointing to hear.

 

Arbachakov's QOA was probably just as relevant, p4p as VK's once he hit world level. Plus he defeated every man he ever faced and only lost when he became a little unmotivated and inactive.

Again, continuous dominance means a lot, especially in lower weight divisions where turnover is much more common due to relative parity of talent.

 

He retired at age 31, on his 24th pro fight. Seven of his opponents were .500 or below and two were making their boxing debut! 9 of 24 were clear soft touches, a high percentage.

Outside of Kittikasem, fans won't recognize Abrachakov's opponents. In fact his opponents often had few fights too, and I suspect are the type that get ballasted when they face western competition.

Which Americans, or Latino's did Abragmov beat that were excellent? He pretty much only fought Asian fighters so he only faced half of the world talent at 112 pounds.

To put in terms you will get, he's no Fighting Harda. Harda beat top western competition.

 

Agreed. Bit salty about the continued stonewalling of Curry, but meh. I'll get over it. This could have gone worse.