Jackson's one of all time favorites, so extremely excited for that one. Biggest puncher that ever lived. Curry has indeed been overdue. I don't think McGirt was the right choice, and it's strange that he made it when his daddy, Meldrick Taylor, was also on the ballot.
I like Buddy but was surprised to see him get in over so many other 'bigger' names. I thought Marquez or Calderon would be in ahead of him for sure.
I would have gone Curry, Jackson, Taylor. But at least the Hall got it right on 2/3. I honestly thought Hatton was gonna make it over Curry. I was preparing myself for the disappointment.
Jackson was a beast. Curry is overdue. McGirt has a HOF career only if you consider his longevity in the sport. He's neither HOF as a fighter or as a trainer, but his combined contributions deserve some recognition. And he's a super nice guy. I'm not upset with his selection, just not thrilled.
McGirt is mediocre at best as a trainer. But his popularity as a trainer probably got him in as a fighter. Although, I will say this.... McGirt's win over Simon Brown was a BEAUTIFUL boxing exhibition.
Yeah, I was gonna say, in either capacity he ought to be a member of the "close but no cigar" rolls. At world level he was a B+ fighter and maybe a straight B trainer at best. I guess the idea here was to roll all of that into a "lifetime achievement" ball representing his gross contributions in the sport. Which makes sense, kind of, I guess.
He was a much better fighter than a trainer. If he was prime right now at 147, I'd favor him over every welterweight except for Spence and Crawford. Buddy would outclass Thurman/Garcia/Porter.
Love that Jackson and Curry got in. Both deserve it. Although, I am a little surprised that McGirt got in, I think he was a hell of a fighter. He was a legitimate 2 division champion, and his win over lineal champion Simon Brown (who was at his peak) was an excellent performance. He also gave a prime Pernell Whitaker all he could handle. (in the first fight) And, he did so with an injured shoulder that would hamper the rest of his career.
I think people have forgotten Thurman. If he can get healthy again he can go in to matches with Crawfor and Spence full of confidence in his own abilities.