Does Arturo Gatti Belong in the Boxing Hall of Fame?

This says it all.

Not a great fighter of his era, he was nonetheless one of the good champions of it, and he was more then notable. He was straight iconic.

Arturo Gatti has enough FOTY's and contenders for it to be considered legendary.

 

He was the definition of a paper champion who, had he fought in an era of one championship, would have been a club fighter.

I wont even go in to the monstrous weight advantages he had over most of his opponents at lower weights.

Lots of exciting clubfighters arent, and should not be in the hall.

 

They aren't legends.

Gatti was more than exciting. His best fights are more well known then many champions in his era. Guys in my gym still discuss Gatti-Ward, and think Tim Austin was the star of a 90's sitcom.

It's enough.

 

man i loved tim austin, rangy as hell with that power n awkward style. was shocked when he lost to eric aiken. when i think of wasted potential. austin is a name i think f alot

 

For being a great fighter, no. For his contributions to the sport and memories he gave fans, absolutely.

For better or worse, boxing's hall of fame is not only about having the best fighters in it. Gatti is probably more deserving than various promoters and celebrities that have been let in.

 

That pretty much sums it up then...Gatti, for me, is a lock. So many great nights, so much heart. If Sly can get in, then Gatti should. Sly is a ****ing actor not a boxer.

 

Correct, absolutely correct.:good

 

sly didnt go into the fighting section. he got in as a non participant

 

He was in 3 of the greatest fights ive ever seen, including my all ti me number 1 fight against ward. I don't get a vote but if i did he might make it in on that 9th round alone

 

IBHOF should be blown up. Not just because Gatti is getting in but it will only snowball into mediocrity. Its at a point that its a popularity contest(like All Star selections are at least in NBA for the most part) opposed to who truly should get remembered all time. Gatti was fun in his time though I've grown to respect defense and hate seeing guys try to please the fans too much. Hate when so many people neglect sweet science. Yes some "bum fights" can be fun but think how much they take out of a fighter. Rather respect skill than savagry anyday but that's my opinion and I don't speak for all. Still fighters should get credit for facing another pro and going in there in the first place along with training which is hell.

BTW, there were many exciting B fighters in other eras better than Gatti. He may be a product of his time. Not to diss him as like I said I don't speak for everyone but I don't get people. One can go in the hall for "excitement" but a much better fighter doesn't because he has "no FOTY's" and his fights are skillful clinics? Thats how y'all feel ESB?

At this rate it will go downhill even more. "Judah was better than Gatti, cmon" "Valuev was a bit better than Willard and Mcguigan!" "Ruiz, he was the first and only hispanic heavyweight!" Means nothing anymore just a big popularity contest.

RIP Gatti

 

He might get in, but it diminishes the HOF.. There were two Hall of Fames and then the one in Los Angeles is not around anymore, so we have what most consider the real one in upstate New York. Gatti might make it, but it will not help the reputation of the Hall if he does if you ignore other guys like Virgil Hill. There are others who deserve it more. If Gatti gets in but Virgil Hill does not it hurts the reputation of the Hall in my opinion. Hill beat Maske,Tiozzo,Czyz,Tate,Kitchen,Stewart,Brudov,. 25 defenses in 4 reigns as champ. You have to figure he easily makes it over Gatti. The test will be on the voting to see if fairness comes through. A man like Virgil is not exciting. He won most of the 25 defenses with his left hand, but what a great left he had. he has something like 500 rounds of boxing and something like 200 rounds of championship rounds. Completely underrated fighter. I hope they give him what he is due.. Not exciting but solid and a champion. I like Gatti ,but I still think the Hall of Fame is about skill level and there are others before Gatti who should make it in. But I love Gatti's fighting style.

 

Yes he belongs. His popularity should be looked as a positive not a negitive.

 

Damn right he does...just think what boxing would have been like if we had 4 or 5 Gattis back in his prime. he was a great boxer, his fights with Ward are some of the best and most entertaining fights you'll ever see. Great heart. he deserves that and more. And he's missed

 

Arturo "Thunder" Gatti retired with a record of 40 wins and 9 losses, with 31 wins by knockout. Losing that many fights in the modern era is difficult to overcome and he will never be listed as one of the ATG’s. However it is the hall of FAME not the Hall of All Time Greatness, so let me make a case for him.
Gatti is considered by many boxing experts and fans alike to be one of the most exciting boxers of his era. He has participated in Ring Magazine's "fight of the year" a total of four times. Every single guy with four or more appearances as Ring Magazine’s "fight of the year" are in the Hall (Basilio, Tunney, Foreman, Frazier, Louis, Schmeling and Ali) Gatti became world champion when he narrowly outpointed Tracy Harris Patterson and signed a multi-fight deal with HBO to fight on HBO Boxing. On January 24, 2004, Gatti recovering from a broken hand, scored a tenth round knock-down and defeated Gianluca Branco of Italy by a twelve round unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC junior welterweight title. He has the titles – the exposure (HBO) – the notoriety and the historic fights to legitimately be in the Hall – in my opinion.

 

Why not, everyone else is in it?