Would this be a better guideline to who makes the hall of fame?

TBooze · Jul 12, 2015

Mendoza said: ↑

Boxing's hall of fame is too liberal. I think part of the problem is there are no benchmarks or set of rules for the voters.

Below are 15 questions i'd like to see asked for fighters who fought in their primes from 1920 to present.

How long was the fighter champion in years? ( 4 or more to check the box )

How many title defenses did he make? ( 5 or more to check the box, alphabet titles fights included )

What is his record vs. fighters in the top ten when he fought them? ( A winning record over 70% or 5 wins total to check the box )

Was the fighter ranked high in pound for pound ratings for a period of time? ( Use ring magazine rankings for modern fighters. Judgement call for old timers. 3 years to check the box )

Did the fighter have good longevity for the game? ( Lineal or Ring Magazine Champion at age 35 for old timers, 38 for modern era fighters to check the box )

Who is the best opponent he beat? ( Should be a champion, or #1 contender to check the box. An easy one to check )

At his best, how good was the fighter? ( Your best call, critical for fighters who died young )

Was the fighter avoided or ducked from getting title shots, which likely shortened his title reign? ( Like Liston was, who could have been champion much longer )

Did the fighter add something extra to boxing ( Bring in new fans, participate in a fight of the year, Score an all time KO, become the 1st of a race or nation to win a championship, Score a memorable upsets vs. an ATG, ect... )

Would the fighter have been champion in at least three previous decades ( Your best call . 3 or more decades to check the box )

Was the fighter a good ambassador to the sport of boxing ( An asset outside the ring, famous outside of boxing, and a clean fighter in general to check the box )

Was the fighter a lineal or ring magazine champion in more than one of the classic 8 weight class ( 2 or more to check the box )

Was the fighter a popular draw for live gates and television ( Your best call )

Did the fighter make an impressive comeback after 3 or more years away from the game to become champion again?

How many losses or draws to non-top ten level fighter in his prime? ( 2 or less for fighters with 40 or less fights, 3 of less for fighters with 50+ fights needed to check the box )

Scoring tally:

Fewer than 7 boxes checked the fighter should not make the hall of fame!

If you check 8 to 9 boxes, I say the candidate is borderline unless he's a heavyweight due to the importance of the division.

10-11 boxes checked = Induction over time

12 boxes checked = A virtual lock to make the hall of fame

13-15 boxes checked = Clear first ballot hall of fame candidate.

Thoughts?
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An interesting concept; well thought out with plenty of good points.

But it is a Hall of Fame, not Hall of Greatness; and also a commercial operation...

Mendoza · Jul 12, 2015

TBooze said: ↑

An interesting concept; well thought out with plenty of good points.

But it is a Hall of Fame, not Hall of Greatness; and also a commercial operation...
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My main issue is the HOF is more like the hall of famous. Its too watered down, and even the old-timer selections of late make you wonder.

TBooze · Jul 12, 2015

Mendoza said: ↑

My main issue is the HOF is more like the hall of famous. Its too watered down, and even the old-timer selections of late make you wonder.
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I agree, but I suspect we both know the truth is Butterbean will sell more packages than Antonio Esparagoza.

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Would this be a better guideline to who makes the hall of fame?

TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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Would this be a better guideline to who makes the hall of fame?

TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member