It usually means you have the "wrong" nationality and are constantly fighting in your opponent's backyard or fighting the featured fighter. And if you're not a big finisher, then you're basically screwed. Just look at Gabriel Campillo vs Cloud and Shumenov. He should have been the unified WBA/IBF champ when he faced Kovalev, not B-Hop who did get the deserved nod against those guys.
He was a very good fighter but not Hall of Fame worthy. Had he got the decision's over Ottke, Dawson and Froch he would have a much better case. I was ringside when he fought Cloud which was another close decision he lost. All four of those fights I mentioned were close but I think ultimately the right guys won.
I go back and forth with this, he's kind of a modern day Cinderella man. He was very likable and I think that may eventually push him over the hump to get him in. It wouldn't be first ballot though. I think it would be a few years that he'd be overlooked before he gets in, if he does
That's an argument in itself! When you start putting actors, journo's etc in the HOF, you're looking at people who transcended the game, Gatti did this through his inside ring exploits, he probably has to be in. I don't think he would be in a HOF based on talent and achievement. Anyway, no to Johnson, for me, he lost a lot of fights. He was a tough, hard, road warrior SOB. I think he might get in, one day.
Am I missing something? I mean Glen Johnson had a very nice run and beat some good fighters but should the hall of fame not be reserved for exceptional fighters and/or influencers ?
If the Hall of Fame had the sorts of standards it should, absolutely not. With the abysmally low standards of the boxing hall of fame, he probably get in.
To me Glen is the epitome of a prize fighter. He took on everyone, anywhere, any time. Hell YES he deserves to be in. Its people like Ward who will only fight at home even though he cannot sell out the venue. Also Canelo & before him Mayweather will only fight in Vegas
Influencers ?? Pure achievement or forget it..When they let Barry Mcguigan in it pretty much lowered the bar
While Gatti was in some exciting fights, I think he gets way too much credit for he Ward trilogy. Remember, Ward entered their first fight with 11 losses. Plus, Gatti lost twice to Ivan Robinson, stopped by Angel Manfredy, thoroughly outclassed by Oscar and Floyd, and destroyed by Baldomir. I understand there’s a business side to the sport and he was an HBO darling. However, if Gatti was a black Marcus Jackson from Detroit or a white Ian Williams from London, I doubt he’d be anywhere near the hall of fame, unless he was a paying customer. if excitement is so important, I look forward to the posthumous induction of a blood and guts world class Diego Corrales. There are just too many way better fighters for me to support Gatti in the Hall of fame. Marlon Starling immediately comes to mind.
From 2002 to 2010 he fought as a LHW and, imo, only Dawson deserved to get a W over him, but in the first fight between the 2 I felt Johnson beat Dawson. His run in 2004 was legendary. He lots of losses prior to 2002 though that aren't controversial, and after 2010 he was no longer at his best. HOF is a stretch imo, but I'd like to see him in it because he fought anyone anywhere
