Originally Posted by RozzySean

You can make a good case for the first set of names you listed. I don't have a problem with that. Steve Collins belongs in the HoF, IMO, probably Eubank, too. Mancini would get my vote.

Yes

Again, skill is a factor but so is heart and tenacity. Gatti was someone that gave everything when he was in the ring. If he had Roy Jones Jr's skill he would have been the greatest boxer of all time unlike Roy who had the skill but not necessarily the heart and tenacity.

Originally Posted by Hunter

Yes

Again, skill is a factor but so is heart and tenacity. Gatti was someone that gave everything when he was in the ring. If he had Roy Jones Jr's skill he would have been the greatest boxer of all time unlike Roy who had the skill but not necessarily the heart and tenacity.

No argument with that.

Originally Posted by Deanrw

Originally Posted by leftylee number 1 groupie

No he isn't everytime he stepped up against the elite he lost, his most exciting fights were against lower class opposition. Just because he was an exciting fighter means nothing.

Because if thats the case then any exciting fighter should be in the HOF. I think the HOF should be for great fighters who beat great fighters, or made many title defenses or whatever they did great to make them a HOF fighter.

Arturo Gatti i hate to say it was a good fighter but thats it, he was never close to being elite in his division. And he never beat a great fighter.

See you are confusing the Hall Of Fame with the Hall Of Skill. Did Arturo make an impact on the sport? He sure did.

He is a two time world champion, who was involved in the most exciting fights of his era. He basically carried the sport for quite a while. He is known as the Human Highlight Reel for a reason. It is not always about being the "elite". He is and will always be larger than life. He brought so many fans to the sport. In 30 years from now, people will talk about him more than the "elites" that shared the ring with him.

The HOF is there as a token. It is there to recognize not only achievements, but also gives credit to anyone who respected the sport, promoted the sport to new heights and gave every ounce they could.

Name any current fighter who has given more to the sport? I cannot think of any.

I think those are some of the key points that can't be ignored when looking for an answer to this thread... By that I would say that yes he should be in...
Can you think of some recent heavyweight champs who have (statistically) 'career and achievement wise' equaled what Gatti achieved, but aren't worthy of Hall of Fame??

It brings light to the fact the hall of fame can't just be about statistical achievement, but also about bringing a quality to the sport that not many people have, and letting it hang out there in the best possible way.. And Gatti got to that 80% level of what can be achieved in boxing.. How many people get to that level and never make it to that A+ class, but leave us with as much as Gatti did? Pretty much no one...

He came through the ranks, and left us a legacy.. A legacy that may not have quite reached the top rungs, or achieved as much as some of those 1% fighters that do. But what he brought during the time the spotlight was on him, was up there with most boxers who have past and present been acknowledged as HOF material...

Originally Posted by Dizaster

Originally Posted by Deanrw

Originally Posted by leftylee number 1 groupie

No he isn't everytime he stepped up against the elite he lost, his most exciting fights were against lower class opposition. Just because he was an exciting fighter means nothing.

Because if thats the case then any exciting fighter should be in the HOF. I think the HOF should be for great fighters who beat great fighters, or made many title defenses or whatever they did great to make them a HOF fighter.

Arturo Gatti i hate to say it was a good fighter but thats it, he was never close to being elite in his division. And he never beat a great fighter.

See you are confusing the Hall Of Fame with the Hall Of Skill. Did Arturo make an impact on the sport? He sure did.

He is a two time world champion, who was involved in the most exciting fights of his era. He basically carried the sport for quite a while. He is known as the Human Highlight Reel for a reason. It is not always about being the "elite". He is and will always be larger than life. He brought so many fans to the sport. In 30 years from now, people will talk about him more than the "elites" that shared the ring with him.

The HOF is there as a token. It is there to recognize not only achievements, but also gives credit to anyone who respected the sport, promoted the sport to new heights and gave every ounce they could.

Name any current fighter who has given more to the sport? I cannot think of any.

I think those are some of the key points that can't be ignored when looking for an answer to this thread... By that I would say that yes he should be in...
Can you think of some recent heavyweight champs who have (statistically) 'career and achievement wise' equaled what Gatti achieved, but aren't worthy of Hall of Fame??

It brings light to the fact the hall of fame can't just be about statistical achievement, but also about bringing a quality to the sport that not many people have, and letting it hang out there in the best possible way.. And Gatti got to that 80% level of what can be achieved in boxing.. How many people get to that level and never make it to that A+ class, but leave us with as much as Gatti did? Pretty much no one...

Holmes

One of the problems is that the so-called experts who vote are too young to really remember some of the guys who deserve to get in. Also, they keep the process secretive so that the criteria remain unknown. If we knew what the standards were, we could make a better judgement on this. I know a number of people who are voters and believe me when I say this, many of the posters here and on other good sites know more about boxing and boxing history than the writers who vote. I no longer pay much attention to what they do there. I just enjoy going there and having a good time every June. But I do support the heck out of the Hall financially speaking. IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE AND IT PUTS MY MONEY WHERE MY MOUTH IS. That is all on this subject except to say that many of the posts have me reconsidering Gatti's worthiness.

Originally Posted by holmcall

One of the problems is that the so-called experts who vote are too young to really remember some of the guys who deserve to get in. Also, they keep the process secretive so that the criteria remain unknown. If we knew what the standards were, we could make a better judgement on this. I know a number of people who are voters and believe me when I say this, many of the posters here and on other good sites know more about boxing and boxing history than the writers who vote. I no longer pay much attention to what they do there. I just enjoy going there and having a good time every June. But I do support the heck out of the Hall financially speaking. IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE AND IT PUTS MY MONEY WHERE MY MOUTH IS. That is all on this subject except to say that many of the posts have me reconsidering Gatti's worthiness.

I know, you can't argue with any of the posts saying he should be in there. Gatti-Ward 1 is one of the best fights I have ever seen and probably will ever see.

I love Gatti the same way I love Bobby Chacon.

But I have to say neither one belongs in the hall.

However Barrys in and Nortons in so Gatti should be a fit.

Of course he is. There is no set criteria for the HOF, the simple fact that he managed to achieve the notoriety and following he did should be your answer. Besides that for what he lacked in skill he more than made up for with one of the biggest hearts of any fighter arguably ever. Hell Fransico Bojado and Derrick Gainer had more than enough skill to make it in themselves, should it not work both ways??

Originally Posted by CutMeMick

I love Gatti the same way I love Bobby Chacon.

But I have to say neither one belongs in the hall.

However Barrys in and Nortons in so Gatti should be a fit.

Oh no, say its's not so, Mike. Bobby IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE.

And Mike, don't forget, Bobby closed out his career with 7 straight wins agains very stiff opposition. He kept his legacy secure by doing that.

Originally Posted by holmcall

Originally Posted by CutMeMick

I love Gatti the same way I love Bobby Chacon.

But I have to say neither one belongs in the hall.

However Barrys in and Nortons in so Gatti should be a fit.

Oh no, say its's not so, Mike. Bobby IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE.

I love Bobby dearly and I've shared a handful of great moments with him.
Nothing made him more happy then the day he was inducted himself into the Hall.
A man who left it all in the ring and fought every second of every single round of every fight.
It hurts me to say it Ted but it's the way I see it.
I'm actually gonna be seeing Bobby this weekend...

Originally Posted by CutMeMick

Originally Posted by holmcall

Originally Posted by CutMeMick

I love Gatti the same way I love Bobby Chacon.

But I have to say neither one belongs in the hall.

However Barrys in and Nortons in so Gatti should be a fit.

Oh no, say its's not so, Mike. Bobby IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE.

I love Bobby dearly and I've shared a handful of great moments with him.
Nothing made him more happy then the day he was inducted himself into the Hall.
A man who left it all in the ring and fought every second of every single round of every fight.
It hurts me to say it Ted but it's the way I see it.
I'm actually gonna be seeing Bobby this weekend...

Mick, you going to the HOF for the night of champs on the 22nd? I'll be there should you go. Cheers

Originally Posted by CutMeMick

Originally Posted by holmcall

Originally Posted by CutMeMick

I love Gatti the same way I love Bobby Chacon.

But I have to say neither one belongs in the hall.

However Barrys in and Nortons in so Gatti should be a fit.

Oh no, say its's not so, Mike. Bobby IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE.

I love Bobby dearly and I've shared a handful of great moments with him.
Nothing made him more happy then the day he was inducted himself into the Hall.
A man who left it all in the ring and fought every second of every single round of every fight.
It hurts me to say it Ted but it's the way I see it.
I'm actually gonna be seeing Bobby this weekend...

If you are attending the WBHF, give a big hello to my dear friend, Frank Baltazar. And if Charlie Powell is there, say hello to him as well. I am envious of you. I was going to attend myself, but can't get away from my business interests. Have agreat time,mate!