Gaspar "Indio" Ortega: Should he be in the Hall of Fame?

[elmersalsa]

What are your thoughts of this tough and solid fighter of the late 50s and early 60s. He fought the very best welterweights and middleweights of his time. Should he be in the hall of fame? Please, check out his record.

[klompton]

Since when is being "a solid fighter" grounds for getting into the hall of fame?

[TheGreatA]

I don't think he was any worse than an Antonio Margarito. Can't see him making the IBHOF though. Maybe the WBHOF which includes more obscure fighters that should be remembered.

[elmersalsa]

Since when is being "a solid fighter" grounds for getting into the hall of fame?

Well, at least he was only stopped twice in 176 pro fights. That is very impressive to me, especially if you were a fighter in the 50s and 60s, fighting the best welters and middleweights of his era.

Gaspar also beat 3 out of 10 world champions and 2 out of 7 hall of famers he faced. Won 131 fights and beat guys like Benny "Kid" Paret (twice), Tony DeMarco (twice out of three fights), split with the great Kid Gavilan, Stan Harrington and Isaac Logart.

I do not know if he could make the hall, but other fighters that I think, like Barry McGuigan are in the hall of fame. McGuigan to me, should not be in the hall of fame. What did he do?

[elmersalsa]

Also "Indio" beat the welter champion at the time in Benny "Kid" Paret to receive his only title shot of the winner of Paret and and the great Emile Griffith. Griffith stopped Paret and gave "Indio" a title shot because "Indio" was the number one contender. In a great fight, Griffithe stopped Gaspar in 13 rounds. And that was the rematch. Nothing to be ashamed about.

[Seamus]

What other HOF'er did he beat besides Gavilan ?

[klompton]

Gavilan was well past his prime when they fought and still didnt manage to dominate him. Paret was going through a losing streak (and wasnt that good to begin with) basically all the big names on his resume were either not that great, past their prime, or he lost to them more often than he won against them. He was a good fighter but again, why should being good get you into the hall of FAME.

[elmersalsa]

Gavilan was well past his prime when they fought and still didnt manage to dominate him. Paret was going through a losing streak (and wasnt that good to begin with) basically all the big names on his resume were either not that great, past their prime, or he lost to them more often than he won against them. He was a good fighter but again, why should being good get you into the hall of FAME.

You got good points there. I am not saying he should be in the hall of fame right away. I don't believe he should be in, but why Barry McGuigan, that to me, did not do enough, is in?

[klompton]

I agree with you, there a definately some names that are in the hall that shouldnt be. One of the reasons is they like to elect people who are still alive and will come to the events so they can cash in on the celebrities. The people who run the hall are kind of scam artists.

[elmersalsa]

What other HOF'er did he beat besides Gavilan ?

Tony DeMarco. I think he should be in the hall of fame.

[elmersalsa]

Ortega beat DeMarco twice in three fights.

[klompton]

Is DeMarco in the hall??? If he is he shouldnt be...

[klompton]

Oh, hes in the WBHOF... that doesnt count. They vote anyone in. Sorry but if your two best wins are against a shot Gavilan, and Johnny Saxton (or an overweight Bud Smith, or a shot Don Jordan) and your list of impressive wins falls off dramatically from there you have no business in the hall. Hell, I might even entertain the argument that despite never being a champ Ortega deserves to be in over DeMarco...

Go through DeMarco's record and you will see its pretty underwhelming.

[elmersalsa]

Let's see Tony DeMarco's record.