Whether or not he is HOF worthy, he definetly wasn't the #1 SMW of his time (Calzaghe), let alone all time. However, it's pure bull**** to claim that he was "just a paper champ", didn't win big fights, or had "endless robberies". He had exactly ONE, and a couple of close decisions where he masterfully played defense to nullify the other guys offense. He didn't lose to Larsen or Mitchell, he was just giving away the final rounds because he was leading wide enough (ok, he knew the scorecards). I can't stand people who watched exactly ONE fight on youtube (Reid), and just repeat other peoples bull**** they read on the internet, to feel mighty and rite. At times I was switching channels because I couldn't stand watching him anymore, when he was just making the other guy miss, and steal the round with TWO pitter pat rallies in the last minute. But when his opponent doesn't land at all, looking "stronger" and having more tattoes doesn't give him the round. Larsen lost because he couldn't clearly win rounds, Ottke masterfully drew almost every round by doing just enough to not lose it. Boring, crappy to watch, but legal, riding the champion bonus. Hopkins did exactly the same in many fights, making his opponent look bad and "getting the nod" in every crappy garbage round without even throwing punches at times - leading ridiculously wide after half of the fight without doing anything.
He's not ****. You clearly haven't seen him. He's a very good boxer with solid technical skills and an excellent defence. He wasn't the most exciting of fighters, he wasn't exactly a knockout-artist, and yes he did get a few close decisions. That doesn't deter from his ability. He wasn't elite, but he was definately a very solid campaigner on the world stage.
Yes it is, if you are watching boxing and you are entertained then how isn't it entertainment? Just because its a sport it doesn't mean it comes under a different definition. You don't go "I watch boxing because it is so sporting!" do you?
All serious sport is entertainment. They have the Olympics for boring sports people aren't interested in.