Who would you induct into the IBHOF first: Primo Carnera or Marvin Hart?

[scorpio83]

Between the heavyweight reigns of John L. Sullivan to Joe Louis, most of the former lineal heavyweight champions were already inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame with the exception of the two former lineal heavyweight champions, Marvin Hart who was the heavyweight champion from 1905 to 1906 and Primo Carnera, who was the heavyweight champion from 1933 to 1934. If anyone read the book about the life and career of Primo Carnera stating that he was the only former lineal heavyweight champion not to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. However, the book was incorrect and never mentioned Marvin Hart, who was the other former lineal heavyweight champion as he is forgotten through history of the world heavyweight championship. Like I ask before, if you were a member of the International Hall of Fame committee, who would you choose between those two when the time is right and why?

Also, if anyone answer none that they don't deserve, then don't answer the question. If former lineal heavyweight champions in the 1930s before Joe Louis like Max Schmeling, Jack Sharkey, Max Baer and Jim Braddock gets inducted, why not Carnera? Please choose and why.

[BitPlayer]

Carnera may not have been inducted due to allegations of fixed fights, I'd probably induct him before Hart.

Hart fought for a vacant title, then lost it next fight, I think there's room to question his legitimacy.

[Flump]

Carnera may not have been inducted due to allegations of fixed fights, I'd probably induct him before Hart.

Hart fought for a vacant title, then lost it next fight, I think there's room to question his legitimacy.

I agree. Particularly as this is a hall of fame primarily. But something smells very fishy indeed about Carnera's career, including his title win.

[BoxBuzz]

They should both be left out. Although Carnera has "fame".....so he's less suspect......but if Pete Rose can't get in to the baseball HOF....then Primo should fare no better.

[APerno]

If Ray Mancini is in the HOF both Hart and Carnera should be as well. I would put both in at the same time.

Hart should be on the list as a lineal champion?

Hart shouldn't be on the list as a lineal champion?

James J. Jeffries announced his retirement and stated that the winner of the Jack Root-Marvin Hart fight would be the new HW champion. After Hart defeated Root, Jeffries publicly declared Marvin Hart the new HW Champion.

Three days later James Jeffries recanted his announcement stating that he felt Hart needed to prove himself further before claiming the title.

(As to Jeffries' motives for changing his mind . . . I will leave that to another discussion.)

Marvin Hart then lost to Tommy Burns and everyone said, "Oh, now Burns is the champion."

Then Jack Johnson (a black man) KOed Tommy Burns and everyone said, "Oh, wait Burns wasn't really the champion, James J. Jeffries is the real champion."

So IMO - If you accept Burns as a lineal champion, then you should accept Marvin Hart as one as well. Otherwise the lineal championship goes Jeffries-Johnson-Willard. I am of the mind that both Hart and Burns should be included in the list, but then we need to put quotes around the word "lineal."

[tiny_acres]

They should both be left out. Although Carnera has "fame".....so he's less suspect......but if Pete Rose can't get in to the baseball HOF....then Primo should fare no better.

It always amazes me when undeserving fighters make the hof.
Cabrera as you stated had fame. But his questionable connections puts a huge asterisk next to his accomplishments.

And on a side note Pete Rose is the most deseving baseball player not in the hall.
It's criminal that he may never make it

[oogiebe]

They should both be left out. Although Carnera has "fame".....so he's less suspect......but if Pete Rose can't get in to the baseball HOF....then Primo should fare no better.

It always amazes me when undeserving fighters make the hof.
Cabrera as you stated had fame. But his questionable connections puts a huge asterisk next to his accomplishments.

And on a side note Pete Rose is the most deseving baseball player not in the hall.
It's criminal that he may never make it

Regarding Rose; the HOF uses his game worn stuff to make the dough, but leave him out...seriously asinine.

[SenorPipino]

Carnera is a historical figure in boxing, shady fights or not. (And undoubtedly there are scores of fighters from the 30s, 40s and 50s who engaged in fraudulent fights who are in the HOF)

As a memorable and storied heavyweight champion--during an era when there was only ONE champion--Carnera deserves induction. Even if his actual accomplishments are questionable.

[gilgamesh]

Neither

[oogiebe]

Kalan.

[SenorPipino]

Kalan.

I'm certain he agrees and will entertain us with a 100 graph post explaining why.

[oogiebe]

Kalan.

I'm certain he agrees and will entertain us with a 100 graph post explaining why.

LMFAO! RIght!?

[scorpio83]

I want you to understand my point and I feel like the IBHOF committees with all due respect are hypocritical of inducting legends who were involved in fix fights like Willie Pep, Joe Gans and of course Jake La Motta, who admitted of taking a dive against Billy Fox. Former lineal heavyweight champions Jack Johnson alleging admitted that he took a dive to drop the title to Jess Willard in 1915 and Sonny Liston was questionable of taking dives in both fights against Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay).

If those boxing legends were involved in fix fights and got inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, then why not Carnera. Primo Carnera was a big naive Italian, who may not know that his fights were fixed, but we may never know the truth. If you say Carnera didn't deserve that honor, then those legends, excluding Jack Johnson and Sonny Liston, didn't deserve that honor as well because of their involvement of fix fights, but they still deserve that honor and they made an impact in boxing history. This is why in my opinion Primo Carnera should get induct into the International Boxing Hall of Fame when the time is right despite his shady past that Carnera may not know about.