This year's International Boxing Hall of Fame ballot has 45 names, including newcomers Arturo Gatti, Virgil Hill and Henry Maske. Others on the ballot include holdovers Prince Naseem Hamed, Donald Curry, Wilfredo Vazquez Sr. and Sven Ottke, as well as referee Mills Lane, ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr., broadcaster Steve Albert and writer Colin Hart in the Observer category.
Results will be announced by the IBHOF later this year with the induction ceremony taking place next June 9 in Canastota, New York.
Gatti is clearly the biggest name this year and there is some debate over whether or not he deserves to be enshrined. Many feel he's a first ballot Hall of Famer based on his action-packed, never give up style and multiple Fight of the Year matches. Others, however, feel that Gatti comes up short of being Hall worthy as he was never a truly elite fighter that could be considered the best in his weight class or among the pound-for-pound best in the world.
What do you think? Does Arturo Gatti deserve to be voted into the Boxing Hall of Fame? Tell us what you think.
Comments
Gatti, while he did not enjoy the record of some others he did contribute more to Boxing than many of the present members in the Hall. You could always count on seeing a performance that was usually unequaled. I would rather see someone like Gatti fight and lose than some of these paper “chumpions”. He gave all he had and you can never ask for more than that.
May He Rest in Peace.
I certainly agree with Hugh’s excellent observations. Gatti was a determined, never give up and give it all boxer. He had heart and determination no matter who his opponent was. He was the fight game as it should be, and who will ever forget the Gatti-Ward matches. If giving your all counts in this world Arturo Gatti is the personification of real commitment to his profession and the sport. A Gatti fight was always worth watching and he deserves the honor.
An exciting fighter, however standards have to be maintained otherwise being a “hall of famer”will loose its status.
His heart and fighting spirit was of the highest.
Lived hard ,died respected.
Richard
Gatti was very exciting to watch and had decent success but I believe
it’s a bit too soon to have him inducted! That’s not to say in the next 5-10
he should’nt be considered,it’s not like he had a 20 year career!!
i agree ..its to soon for him to be inducted..but i loved watching him fight..cause u never knew what was going to happen
Gary,
I only ask you one question. What can change regarding Gatti’s record of performances in the next 5 to 10 years? His record will never change so either give him his accolades now or forget the option.
It is a fight game and a mans won or lost record is not all that is important for his recognition. A fighter who performs at a high level every time he enters the ring deserves as much appreciation as some winners who go through their matches in a boring fashion. I am sure you know a few who meet that standard.
We should reward the boxers who give us those great fights and quickly forget those who do very little to make the sport something to be proud of. Gatti stands tall in the respect column.
I think Arturo Gatti was a GREAT fighter, but not a Hall-of-Fame fighter. Is Micky Ward a Hall-of-Famer? I say No, and he is among my boxing heroes. I think the Hall-of-Fame is for the truly elite.
I can’t recall any time in Arturo’s career that he was THE best boxer in his division or among the top 5 pound-for-pound boxers.
Gatti was great – YES, but not a Hall-of-Famer.
Of course Gatti should be in the Hall of Fame. There is no criteria for haviing been a champion. The honor is for those who have given so much to the sport. Mickey Ward should also be nominated. Not only for his wars with Gatti, but who can forget both of them being in Fights of the Year or nominations for that coveted award. If they can vote in an actor who potrayed a make believe boxer certainly we can honor those who gave us so much.
Why not?…………. Arturo Gatti deserves to be voted into the Boxing Hall of Fame, no questions about it. Lesser men have been nominated and voted into The Hall of Fame. Arturo Gatti was an exciting guy to watch whether he lost or won the fight. He gave his all and that is all you can ask from anyone.
Mickey Ward is another deserving boxer to be considered. Gatti and Ward gave outstanding performances.
I’m not sure that merely being a champion should be the primary qualifier for HOF entrance. I would have rather watched Gatti fight than many champions I’ve seen, e.g. Mayweather, either Klitscho brother, Hopkins, and many others. Gatti brought much to boxing in general. He was a warrior. I say he deserves to be in the Hall.
Gatti deserves to be in. Boxing is a sport and a business! Would be boxing be in business without great fights? No! Gatti was not a great fighter but he was a fighter who created a unique legacy and participated in numerous fights of the year and fights of the year candidates. His legend is just too big. He deserves to be in. Tell me one major league sports organization that isn’t based on business.People too often forget that sports are also businesses and based on that viewpoint, he has to be in. My opinion is that you can’t disregard how important the business end of the sport is and that’s why he needs to be in.