Cotto: Hall of Fame Worthy? Or Not?

This kind of branched off from an earlier discussion and I wanted to see what people think.

My opinion: I think Cotto is an excellent fighter, exciting to watch, and will take on any challenge. That being said, given his accomplishments I do not consider him a Hall of Fame fighter.

Certain aspects that bug me about Cotto being inducted to the Hall of Fame would be:

*He's only TAKEN the belt from one champion, Yuri Foreman. All other belts were vacant.

*He's never been regarded as the absolute best in his division. He had a chance at 147, but was KO'd by Margarito, had a close/disputed decision win against Clottey, and was KO'd by Pacquiao.

*If you let Cotto in, there are a lot of other boxers who would meet the same criteria that would ALSO need to be let in. I fail to see how Cotto has accomplished more than Roger Mayweather to use a quick example.


Just wanted to see some thoughts on Cotto and his Hall of Fame chances? I think he'll be remembered as a very good fighter who was just short of being "great."

Thoughts?

 

Current resume good enough? If he quit tomorrow, would you have him in?

You said "future." Does that mean you think he needs to accomplish more? Just asking for more specificity.

 

I know that.. but was asking if the guy quit boxing tomorrow: would that be good enough to make the Hall?

Saying "future" and not following it up leaves some speculation about his meaning. Could easily mean: "I see him reaching that status in the future."

 

How do you add a poll? I've never done it before....

Thanks for the article, will check it out. :good

Edit -- Nevermind, figured out the poll thing.

 

Added a poll.

Bah, kind of not happy with the options... The regular "No" should be "No, not at this time."

 

Bert Sugar from the linked article: Thanks for that link!

"Miguel Cotto in the hall of fame? Only as soon as Harry Jeffra gets in,” boxing historian Bert Sugar told RingTV.com.

In other words, there are fighters with better credentials than Cotto who deserve more hall of fame consideration.

“Cotto is on the cusp,” Sugar continued. “He’s won three championships in two divisions. That’s not bad, but it’s not enough. A win on Saturday would give him a title in a third division, which would extend his career, but I’m not sure that makes him hall of fame worthy. There are more accomplished fighters I believe are on the cusp -- Oscar De La Hoya for instance -- that I would vote in before Cotto.

“Don't get me wrong. Cotto’s had a heck of a career. He beat a lot of good fighters and he’s the biggest ticket seller out of Puerto Rico right now, but I can’t call what he’s had so far a great career because he lost his two biggest fights, to Margarito and Pacquiao.”

Sugar's first comment is kind of how I feel. Looking back at boxing history, there are a lot of good fighters that are not in the Hall of Fame. I think it should remain a very exclusive group.