The official IBHOF class of 2018 ballot has been revealed:

Chris Byrd deserves it more than Vitali imo . Better resume , beat better fighters.

 

Arbachakov defeated Kittikasem, Sakasul, Soto and Zamudio, all champions that were equally as relevant within their division as the majority of VK's challengers were during his career-if not more so. He didn't unify against Marj Johnson but for several years he was the recognized number one in a division that included a guy who has already made the IBHOF.

I think that's enough for him to get in.

 

Yes I agree that Wright wins 12 rounds to 0. But there is a chance that Jackson touches his chin clean and then Wright can't make the count. Would I bet on it? No but we saw what happened against Norris.

Norris was on his way to shutting out Jackson. But 1 punch ended the fight.

The term eraser is overused in boxing, but in rare instances it applies as its intended. Most big punchers can change the momentum with 1 huge punch. With Jackson the fight ENDS with 1 punch.

 

One thing i never understood was why Teofilo Stevenson isn't in the Hall of fame, who is arguably the greatest amatuer fighter of all time.

 

Laszlo Papp for example.

 

Flyweight and Heavyweight are at the opposite ends of the size spectrum. But both of those divisions represent outliers among human size. They're not a lot of men who can make 112 pounds. Not to mention that there are divisions like 108, 115, 118 stretching the talent pool thin even further in lower weight divisions. In the HW division if you aren't 220+ pounds it's difficult to compete. And let's focus on the in the shape guys. There are not a lot of in shape 230 pound fighters who are that way naturally. Guys like Wilder crush cans, but it's difficult to find athletic 6'6" guys with muscular builds. And if they are that way then why in the hell would they even box? When you can get a basketball or football scholarship instead? I mean Wilder is only in boxing because his college football dream fell through.

I think that of course the talent pool is going to be more shallow at Flyweight and Heavyweight. If you look at 140-168 I would think those divisions would be more competitive and more stacked. Because there are many guys who be comfortable in those weight classes.

 

No.

 

Nigel Benn has to be in, bizarre he's not there already. He totally brought England together 30x in 8-9 years.

 

The rules are different for heavyweights. Notable heavyweight beltholders generally get in. Johansson, Bowe, Norton, Patterson, Liston, Baer, and Sharkey are all in. It would be way against the grain not to put Vitali in. He is also a class act which helps an already really strong case.