Should Prince Naseem be in the Hall of Fame?

TopGun · Post by **TopGun** » 09 Dec 2013, 08:01

For me it is a definitive Yes. He transformed the sport into the modern era captivating fans that were not interested in boxing. His ring walks were worth tuning into if nothing else. I recall Mayeather saying he was influenced by Naz in his early days. I so hope he is in the HOF one day.

ajwesty13 · Post by **ajwesty13** » 09 Dec 2013, 08:04

TopGun wrote:For me it is a definitive Yes. He transformed the sport into the modern era captivating fans that were not interested in boxing. His ring walks were worth tuning into if nothing else. I recall Mayeather saying he was influenced by Naz in his early days. I so hope it's in the HOF one day.

yes of course he was a great fighter only lost to barrera which aint a bad loss...

Coco · Post by **Coco** » 09 Dec 2013, 08:11

I think he deserves it much more than Barry McGuigan

JediKnight · Post by **JediKnight** » 09 Dec 2013, 08:16

For sure. Is it a case of Politic's stopping him as fighter and now stopping him as a potential hall of famer?

banjo · Post by **banjo** » 09 Dec 2013, 08:19

Yes, he beat the reigning WBO, IBF, WBC and WBA featherweight champions(although he never held the WBA belt), was a terrific showman who attracted a lot of fans and of course McGuigan is in there.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Dec 2013, 08:33

Coco wrote:I think he deserves it much more than Barry McGuigan

to be fair to McGuigan, he was a HUGE star in the sport, and he was a unifying figure in Ireland, where both sides of the sectarian divide supported him - it's easy to forget what a major public figure he was at that time.

He was also a very exciting fighter, with a crowd pleasing style - and his fights had huge live attendances - remember Loftus road! How many fighters can you name now who could do that.

Remember, it's called the Hall of FAME by their own criteria - historical importance is one of the major considerations for who goes in. McGuigan, much like Naz in his pomp, brought a level of exposure to the little men which had not been seen for many many years.

Mcguigan was a special fighter, one with a brief peak however, and rather like Hatton, he had a style which didn't age well.

Naz was a better all around fighter than McGuigan, only a madman would argue otherwise, and will without a doubt get his place as a first ballot hall of famer, the yanks loved him, and he had some great shows in the USA - as exciting a fighter as there has ever been. I still miss him to this day, the air used to crackle in the room when I watched one of his fights.

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 09 Dec 2013, 08:39

The Prince achieved more than enough in his career to be inducted into the HOF.

My only gripe with him is the way he lost any appetite for the sport just because he couldn't knock out Barrera & lost & quit whilst he still had so much to offer,

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Dec 2013, 08:56

Syntax Error wrote:The Prince achieved more than enough in his career to be inducted into the HOF.

My only gripe with him is the way he lost any appetite for the sport just because he couldn't knock out Barrera & lost & quit whilst he still had so much to offer,

Yes, it did always feel like unfinished business - but I think the loss affected him badly, he just didn't look the same fighter - it was like the self-belief was gone - Naz's style relied so much on confidence. In his last fight when he was booed coming into the ring, he looked shell-shocked.

Jack B · Post by **Jack B** » 09 Dec 2013, 08:58

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Coco wrote:I think he deserves it much more than Barry McGuigan
to be fair to McGuigan, he was a HUGE star in the sport, and he was a unifying figure in Ireland, where both sides of the sectarian divide supported him - it's easy to forget what a major public figure he was at that time.

He was also a very exciting fighter, with a crowd pleasing style - and his fights had huge live attendances - remember Loftus road! How many fighters can you name now who could do that.

Remember, it's called the Hall of FAME by their own criteria - historical importance is one of the major considerations for who goes in. McGuigan, much like Naz in his pomp, brought a level of exposure to the little men which had not been seen for many many years.

Mcguigan was a special fighter, one with a brief peak however, and rather like Hatton, he had a style which didn't age well.

Naz was a better all around fighter than McGuigan, only a madman would argue otherwise, and will without a doubt get his place as a first ballot hall of famer, the yanks loved him, and he had some great shows in the USA - as exciting a fighter as there has ever been. I still miss him to this day, the air used to crackle in the room when I watched one of his fights.

Well that's the whole issue isn't it? He's been eligible for the last 5+ years but hasn't been voted in.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Dec 2013, 08:59

Jack B wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Coco wrote:I think he deserves it much more than Barry McGuigan
to be fair to McGuigan, he was a HUGE star in the sport, and he was a unifying figure in Ireland, where both sides of the sectarian divide supported him - it's easy to forget what a major public figure he was at that time.

He was also a very exciting fighter, with a crowd pleasing style - and his fights had huge live attendances - remember Loftus road! How many fighters can you name now who could do that.

Remember, it's called the Hall of FAME by their own criteria - historical importance is one of the major considerations for who goes in. McGuigan, much like Naz in his pomp, brought a level of exposure to the little men which had not been seen for many many years.

Mcguigan was a special fighter, one with a brief peak however, and rather like Hatton, he had a style which didn't age well.

Naz was a better all around fighter than McGuigan, only a madman would argue otherwise, and will without a doubt get his place as a first ballot hall of famer, the yanks loved him, and he had some great shows in the USA - as exciting a fighter as there has ever been. I still miss him to this day, the air used to crackle in the room when I watched one of his fights.
Well that's the whole issue isn't it? He's been eligible for the last 5+ years but hasn't been voted in.

Oh, whoops, look like I'd missed the point. I am rather surprised then - cannot see any reasoning for him not to be in there.

Coco · Post by **Coco** » 09 Dec 2013, 09:01

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Coco wrote:I think he deserves it much more than Barry McGuigan
to be fair to McGuigan, he was a HUGE star in the sport, and he was a unifying figure in Ireland, where both sides of the sectarian divide supported him - it's easy to forget what a major public figure he was at that time.

He was also a very exciting fighter, with a crowd pleasing style - and his fights had huge live attendances - remember Loftus road! How many fighters can you name now who could do that.

Remember, it's called the Hall of FAME by their own criteria - historical importance is one of the major considerations for who goes in. McGuigan, much like Naz in his pomp, brought a level of exposure to the little men which had not been seen for many many years.

Mcguigan was a special fighter, one with a brief peak however, and rather like Hatton, he had a style which didn't age well.

Naz was a better all around fighter than McGuigan, only a madman would argue otherwise, and will without a doubt get his place as a first ballot hall of famer, the yanks loved him, and he had some great shows in the USA - as exciting a fighter as there has ever been. I still miss him to this day, the air used to crackle in the room when I watched one of his fights.

I agree about everything you say about McGuigan, nevertheless Naz deserves it far more, and I would expect him to be inducted soon.

black panther · Post by **black panther** » 09 Dec 2013, 09:08

Definitely should be in there. He was a massive star even amongst casual/non-boxing fans. I would be interested to hear from the 7 people who voted "No".

TopGun · Post by **TopGun** » 09 Dec 2013, 09:13

Quite a few people saying 'no', can one of them say why?

hurlock · Post by **hurlock** » 09 Dec 2013, 09:40

Small man giant entertainer!!! Knowbody has gripped Americas attention like naz did!! Big poster up in Times Square!! The ring entrances,ko's,showboating, he was pretty amazing.

curtis wood · Post by **curtis wood** » 09 Dec 2013, 09:47

no brainer, yes, look at his record, nuff said

TopGun · Post by **TopGun** » 09 Dec 2013, 10:04

Why has he not been inducted.....it is a travesty for British boxing really. Some of the boxing journalists and promoters out here should do something about it.

TJ77 · Post by **TJ77** » 09 Dec 2013, 10:06

He was amazing all round entertainer and a nightmare to fight and no one has come close on these shores since.
Without doubt should be inducted and for my money should still be involved in the sport as a pundit.

reggaereggae · Post by **reggaereggae** » 09 Dec 2013, 10:10

I find the whole 'hall of fame' obsession rather American and bewildering; but in terms of achievement and impact on both the non boxing and boxing world, most definitely. He must be the first fighter of Yemeni origin to win a world title, and I believe of the the fist Arab world champions

TJ77 · Post by **TJ77** » 09 Dec 2013, 10:26

TopGun wrote:Why has he not been inducted.....it is a travesty for British boxing really. Some of the boxing journalists and promoters out here should do something about it.

I should imagine some people in authority have a few grudges against him or are fattest

DD

REEVE · Post by **REEVE** » 09 Dec 2013, 10:42

in a word YES

hes the reason me (and probably loads of others) got into boxing

johnswan1 · Post by **johnswan1** » 09 Dec 2013, 11:20

It seems people are saying yes/no without an understanding of any of the criteria for getting in.

A fighter can appear on the ballot no sooner than five years after his final bout. In Naz's case that's 2007.

Only three fighters get inducted annually, so the next question is, if you think he should be in the HOF then who should he be in ahead of?

This year was the first time DLH, Trinidad and Calzaghe appeared on the ballot and all three got inducted first time.

The impression I get from the Yanks and how they feel about Naz is that he was a big mouth who dodged Marquez/Barrera/Morales for as long as he could, and as soon as he fought one of them he was exposed and promptly retired.

Valid points really. I'm not sure what should be considered his best wins but the likes of Johnson and Kelley were over the hill by the time Hamed got to them.

whiskey · Post by **whiskey** » 09 Dec 2013, 11:56

If there are pies, pastries and other delicacies in the Hall Of Fame - then no, Naz should definitely not be in there. Especially if he is on his own.

TopGun · Post by **TopGun** » 09 Dec 2013, 12:02

G0mez wrote:If there are pies, pastries and other delicacies in the Hall Of Fame - then no, Naz should definitely not be in there. Especially if he is on his own.

TopGun · Post by **TopGun** » 09 Dec 2013, 12:06

List of fighters who have beaten Naz to it since he would have qualified: -

López, Ricardoz
Whitaker, Pernell
Holmes, Larry
Perkins, Eddie
Williams, Holman
Canizales, Orlando
Lewis, Lennox
Mitchell, Brian
Chang Jung-Koo
Lopez, Danny
Marshall, Lloyd
Chávez, Julio César
Tszyu, Kostya
Tyson, Mike
Hardwick, Herbert
Hearns, Thomas "Hitman"
Johnson, Mark
Gatti, Arturo
Hill, Virgil
Myung-woo, Yuh
Calzaghe, Joe
De La Hoya, Oscar
Trinidad, Felix

stevedoc · Post by **stevedoc** » 09 Dec 2013, 12:45

G0mez wrote:If there are pies, pastries and other delicacies in the Hall Of Fame - then no, Naz should definitely not be in there. Especially if he is on his own.

did you see the size of him at the froch vs groves fight ,he looked like he had hattons ricky fatton suit on