Gatti better not be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

If he is, they better explain their criteria.

Once we know what it is, someone else can start a NEW HoF and we WON'T use that criteria.

 

Y'know, I'm usually with you on this - the HOF should be reserved for the "greatest of the great." But if somebody like Rocky Graziano is in the Hall, on essentially the same grounds of being an exciting "do or die" warrior, I can actually see the rationale for inducting Gatti.

 

He better not b, like I been saying for the longest. I never thought Gatti was an elite fighter. He wasnt the greatest of boxers to me. He just has a lot of heart and could take a good shot. And he was in some entertaining wars is why people like him. And why he has a name. He keeps gettin his ass beat evrytime he steps into the ring. I mean i appreciate the entertainment. But HOF caliber I dont think so

 

On a pure skill standpoint, I agree with you...but there are some things you have to also take into account.

One, he is two division world champion....and also has a great overall record, with some wins over some good to very good fighters (tho admittingly, he lost everytime he fought a great one).

Two, he is arguably the most exciting fighter of this generation. He has given this sport some of its most memorable fights EVER....which brought alot of attention and new fans to boxing.

He is well loved and is a HUGE draw....still, even as his skills have declined so far. There are very few fighters of the past 10 years that can claim to have a bigger fan base then him.

And dont forget, he wouldnt be the worst boxer in there ya know.

Do I feel he should be in......probably....but it would be a tough call in all honesty.

 

Well, I know that it is the Hall of Fame and not Hall of Great, but there are some standards.

There's plenty of guys who are eligible for the HOF that aren't in, and they should be inducted way before Gatti ever is.

Starling, Curry, Benn, Eubank, DeJesus, B. Mitchell, etc.

There is NO way that Gatti should be enshrined in Canastota before Brian Mitchell.

 

We have seen worst case inducted in the HOF but I think Gatti doesn't deserve it either.

 

:thumbsup
i agree 100%

 

Damn.....None of them that you've listed are in the Hall of Fame yet???

WTF????

 

For me, fame and excitement should not be part of HoF criteria. In every other sport, its about accomplishments and greatness.

 

In 5 years when Gatti and El Terrible are being enshrined in Canastota, I will be there.

Maybe Holfyield will retire after the Ibragimov fight and I'll get to see them all.

 

Erratic, nice mention of Brian Mitchell, who gets overlooked sometimes.

I think the hype that Gatti has gotten in recent years by being a HBO favorite is going to work in his favor. I don't think he has the credentials to be there, but some guys have been inducted in the past who I thought weren't HOF worthy. I'll put it this way: I don't think he should be in, but it wouldn't surprise me if he makes it.

 

I think we are downplaying his accomplishments here....

I mean he has a very good record, with 3 losses coming basically when he was already past it.

He has beaten some good to very good fighters (Ward, Leija, Gamache, Rueles, Patterson, etc.).

He is also a two division world champion.

Like I said, its close...but I gotta disagree in the fact that you guys are saying it would be a disgrace if he was inducted....yet, we all can agree that there are quite a few fighters in there already who were lesser skills, lesser accomplishment wise and are just in there on similar cases.

 

But they shouldn't be in there either IMO. He never beat an elite fighter and while he was a 2 division title holder, he never unified any titles either.

The standards need to be raised across the board. Other sports only allow ATG into their HoF.