Hall Of Fame - What exactly does a fighter have to do to gain entry?

The true standard should focus on achievements on his career(involving titles won, relevance of fights and quality of opposition). It doesn't have to involve talent. Take Rocky Marciano, not the most talented guy around, but he beat everyone and cleaned out the division during his tenure.


Unfortunately, HOF is now saturated with fighters who are not really that qualified, probably part of the reason is the insistance of having four "modern-day" category fighters every year.


Check Barry McGuigan, sure he beat Eusebio Pedroza. What did he do afterward? He made just 4 defenses and lost it to steve Cruz. Such a short tehure for a HOFamer.


If McGuigan got in, why not someone like Luisito Espinosa who reigned at 118 and has much more success at 126 holding a title for 4 years, 7 defenses and much harder competition.

 

Usually the criteria on the ESB forums is to fight in America and you will be in the HOF. Apparently it is impossible to fight in other countries regardless of who you fight and still enter the HOF

 

Canastota definitely lost credibility putting McGuigan in.

 

Dominate and unify a division for many years without avoiding any top contenders then you can be considered for the HOF. Another route is to move around a few weights and beat up linear or recognised champs in different weight divisions. Something in between with allot of entertaining classic battles along the way could get you in the HOF also.

 

as an irishman i have no problem in saying that mc guigan was over-rated...hall of famer??..not in my eyes..

 

McGuigan was a very good fighter, but could've done a lot more, so I don't think he should've been included in the hall.

I read an article about Donald Curry and the reasons why he shouldn't get in, but I think he did a lot more that McGuigan did.

I also don't think Curry should get in either though.

 

A fighter who beats great fighters at their primes, or beats a lot of very good fighters at their primes, or great fighters nearly passed their prime, doesn't duck the very best in his divisions even at the cost of a loss is my requirement for HOFer. Championship belts help, unification helps, and winning belts at different weight divisions help, but is not a necessary requirement. Also, having a long career also helps. Having a great record helps. Having most of his fights in America helps to a certain extent also. Fighting in foreign soil and winning helps. Having great fights such as trilogies helps. I can't give you exact numbers, but in general, this is what it takes to be a HOFer in my opinion.

 

It should be solely based on achievements inside the ring really. Who you've beaten basically. Whether you've cleaned out a particular division. Reigned for a long time. Won titles at multiple weights etc etc.

In saying that, it is called the Hall of Fame. McGuigan did a hell of job in promoting boxing as a sport in a very troubled region when he was fighting. You can't knock him for that.