Why Did Freakin Barry McGuigan make it to the HOF?

What about my post is inaccurate?

McGuigan's induction to the IBHOF, valid or not, is based on more than just statistics.

Mitchell's career was similar to McGuigan's in that he stood for political unity and fundamental harmony, except that Mitchell's case for the IBHOF is also supported by statistics.

 

It's the Hall of Fame not the Hall of Greatest Boxers. Boxers who brought fame and notoriety or contributed something significant to boxing should be inducted (i.e. Gatti).

 

Mitchell had a nice career, I would say better than Barry's. But was Brian fighting all over the world for political unity or because some of the ABC's weren't sanctioning fights in South Africa because of apartheid?

 

You might be right. I don't know for sure that Mitchell fought abroad based on principal, because of sanctioning bodies restrictions, or both.

 

You might be on to something there.

But he's not the only one - glorified clubfigher Ray Mancini is in. Jim Braddock, who, yeah, scored a great upset, but was otherwise pretty mediocre is in, as is Jess Willard. There are actually LOTS of mediocre fighters in the HOF.

Personally, I think only the "greatest of the greats" should be inducted. But clearly that's not the policy of the people that do the inductions.

 

It has credibility now??

 

Whatever his limitations, Gatti is a two (?) time world champion who (more importantly) was involved in no less than 4 Ring 'Fights of the Year'. Thats good enough for the HOF in my book.

 

I think only the WBA was 'allowing' South African champs at the time and they had to fight on th road....not 100% sure though.

 

Brian Mitchel fought his heart out, a truly deserving champion.

 

Maybe the hall of fame should have a special section where boxers who were very good but just missed the cut, or fighters that had a big impact outside of the ring? Theyre not officially hall of famers but their body of work is recognized.

 

Good point, even still it would be pressing for McGuigan to enter that rank.

 

Ive never seen him fight so I cant comment on that.

But when EA Sports "Knockout Kings" first came out on the PS1, I always picked McGuigan to be my opponent coz he cuts pretty easily in that game. By rounds 8 or 9, everytime you jab his face, blood keeps on splattering out of his eyebrows and the referee stops the fight a couple of rounds later.

 

Whatever the reason, he certainly had an impressive reign, defending his title 12 times in six different countries. That's quite an accomplishment, regardless of why it worked out that way.

And if someone were to compare him to McGuigan, it could be pointed out that one of his defenses was a win over Jim McDonnell, who later beat Barry by stoppage.

 

Good point. Steve won the title from Barry in what became The Ring's 1986 Fight of the Year. So... shouldn't that accomplishment elevate the status of both fighters, improving their eligibility for HOF?

I saw Stevie before he won the title, as an amateur and early in his pro career, and the defense against Roger Arevalo. (If I'm recalling correctly, that was held outdoors on a ring set up on Main Street in the middle of downtown Fort Worth. That was a big deal because Main Street is blocked off only for major hoo-hahs, like the arts festival, Cinco de Mayo, etc.) He was good.

Stevie's career seemed rocky after losing the title; lots of ups and downs. I got the feeling that he was uncomfortable with the pressure of fulfilling the expectations of local fans.

If beating LaPorte and Pedroza isn't enough to get McGuigan into the HOF, then I doubt Cruz will be considered either, altho' I think both deserve at least a nomination.