FW: Cheats like RJJ, Mosley and Toney don't deserve HOF

"CHEATS DON'T DESERVE FAME"

by Frank Warren

NOBODY likes cheats and a debate has arisen in Boxing Monthly on whether boxers who break the rules should enter the International Hall of Fame.

As a proud member, I have a vested interest in who will be inducted down the line.

There is little doubt that the likes of Shane Mosley, James Toney and Roy Jones Jnr are all great fighters.

Between them, they have lifted countless world titles at a number of different weights. But they have also all been caught taking performance-enhancing drugs.

I for one believe that should automatically exclude them from entry to the HOF.

Dr Margaret Goodman, formerly of the Medical Advisory Board of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, said: "Using PEDs in boxing has to come at a price.

"Unlike other sports, the risk to the opponent is so great - having possibly lethal implications - that proven usage is reason enough for exclusion."

And Wallace Matthews, former president of the American Boxing Writers' Association, added: "If you keep fighting when the other guy is tired, you can do real damage. You can kill somebody.

"It's almost the equivalent of taking a weapon into the ring."

I agree. There is little difference between taking PEDs and loading your gloves as Antonio Margarito did - and imagine the feeling if he were considered for induction?

Would Ben Johnson and Marion Jones be invited into the Athletics Hall of Fame? It's a no-brainer."

Source: The Sun

I think RJJ got caught for using Ripped Fuel which anyone can walk into a GNC and buy so its not like he was shooting up horse steroids or anything.

Read an article like this in Boxing monthly recently, its hard to make a decision.
Mosley is one of my favourite fighters and it would be hard not to put him in the hall of fame because of his achievements and warrior attitude. If only other fighters would fight the best like Mosley has.

I mean how can you not have Mosley, Roy Jones, James Toney and Holyfield not in the hall of fame they are some the best boxers of my generation.

It definetly a tough one too call.

Bad enoug being caught once but being caught TWICE for steroids (Toney) is just plain unforgiveable. Shouldn't be in the HOF imo.

In the fight where RJJ tested positive for a substance it was against Richard Hall who also tested positive for the same drug. At that time Ripped Fuel contained a banned substance and it was purchased over the counter. RJJ after that fight had to send his three samples to the athletic commission which he passed and has never before or after that one fight been linked to steroids.

how about the fact that boxers who are in the hall of fame.....like Sugar Ray Leonard who has admitted drug use, should he be banished from the hall of fame?


Job Biscuit (Cooking some crack)!!!


eh eh!!!

I can see his point regarding cheating. Let's suppose these fighters cheated by taking 'PEDs/steroids' most of their careers, they wouldn't deserve to go into the HOF.

Trouble is we will never really know. I assume they got tested quite regularly through there careers.

They all deserve to be there on achievement - question is were their achievements gained fairly or not?

And this is why I don't rate pacquiao anymore.

Bring blood testing into the sport and clean it up for good.