Hall of Fame

FAME.

Gatti is perhaps the most famed fighter of this generation. How many FOTY's has he been in? I mean the guy leaves it ALL in the ring. If the requirements for the hall of fame was that they had to be the absolute best fighters from each and every generation then Gatti would be by no means a hall of famer. But the hall of fame is for guys who bettered the sport, advanced the sport, entertained fans and those who acheived fame. Gatti accomplished all that and then some. Sure the guys' accomplishments do have to be a factor aswell but he WAS a champion. I mean it's not like he spent his whole career on the underbelly of the contender list. The Hall of Fame is for people who deserve to be frozen in time alongside other legends, Arturo Gatti is LEGENDARY. He is this generations Carmen Basilio minus the victories over Sugar Ray (Basilio would have got even if he lost imo). He is this generation's Tony Zale. Guys who didn't have the skills of the elite fighters, guys who weren't world beaters but guys who were immensly popular and left their body in the ring everytime they went out.

Arturo Gatti is absolutely something I want people of future generations to be able to read about. He is a guy who doesn't ever deserve to be forgotten. Have you seen the list of IBHOF members? It's HUGE. No way that anyone can ever convince me that Gatti doesn't belong there. Now I'm not saying his accomplishments is legendary, and he definitely isn't a hall of famer on paper, but it's the IBHOF's job to go past the notepad and enshrine him. He's first ballot imo no question. I'm surprised there is such a strong sentiment to keep him out to be honest.