Guys you want in the HOF...Because You Just Want Them In

[wsbuf]

Tommy Paul
Primo Carnera
Hurricane Carter
Bennie Briscoe

[Ambling Alp II]

I want to see Eddie Mustapha Muhammad, Rodrigo Valdez, and Rocky Lockridge, becasue I believe they are the best fighters not in. I about died when I found out that Mustapha is not even the ballot!!

If I could only pick one, I would go with Rocky Lockridge. Many people (including myself) underrated this guy. Gave Julio Cesar Chavez all he could handle. Could have got decisions in two close fights with Pedroza. Got totally screwed against Wilfredo Gomez.
Since he got cheated when he actually fought, it would be nice the HOF would recognize him.

[sweetviolenturge]

My personal choices are, in no particular order:

1) Nigel Benn
2) Mickey Ward
3) George Chuvalo
4) Earnie Shavers
5) James Toney
6) Jerry Quarry
7) Bennie Briscoe
8) Marvin Johnson
9) Santos Laciar
10) Jimmy Young

[elmersalsa]

Santos Laciar should have been in the IBHOF a long time ago!

[BoxBuzz]

I guess if it's "Fame" Primo should be in....he took some pretty famous falls along the way.

And...if talent has anything to do with it....Valdez may be the most overdue.

[sweetviolenturge]

My personal choices are, in no particular order:

1) Nigel Benn
2) Mickey Ward
3) George Chuvalo
4) Earnie Shavers
5) James Toney
6) Jerry Quarry
7) Bennie Briscoe
8) Marvin Johnson
9) Santos Laciar
10) Jimmy Young

I think it's a shame that the Hall neglects to enshrine so many top contenders whose only lack of credentials are that they failed in their bids to win recognition as a champion. Yes, a title often separates the men from the boys as far as being all-time greats, but in the cases of Chuvalo, Quarry & Shavers they plied their trades in what was arguably the greatest era of the heavyweight division. And, without great contenders & challengers, the HOF champions would have failed to shine as brightly as they did.
Then there's Jimmy Young, whose prime was a relatively short one, but who but for the myopic work of the judges in Landover Maryland 41 years ago this month & a single point in his favor in November of '77, would have had one of the best runs ever in heavyweight history with wins over Ron Lyle ( twice ), Ali, Foreman & Norton.

[world ranked]

Israel Vasquez
Vernon Forrest
Iran Barkley
Jorge Arce
JC Casillo/ Corrales

[HyacinthusTurnipseed]

My personal choices are, in no particular order:

1) Nigel Benn
2) Mickey Ward
3) George Chuvalo
4) Earnie Shavers
5) James Toney
6) Jerry Quarry
7) Bennie Briscoe
8) Marvin Johnson
9) Santos Laciar
10) Jimmy Young

FWIW Toney's last fight was August 2015 (where he was outpointed by a 9-3-1 novice) and he is apparently due out again this May vs MIke Sheppard, so it still might be a while yet before he is even eligible.

[sweetviolenturge]

My personal choices are, in no particular order:

1) Nigel Benn
2) Mickey Ward
3) George Chuvalo
4) Earnie Shavers
5) James Toney
6) Jerry Quarry
7) Bennie Briscoe
8) Marvin Johnson
9) Santos Laciar
10) Jimmy Young

FWIW Toney's last fight was August 2015 (where he was outpointed by a 9-3-1 novice) and he is apparently due out again this May vs MIke Sheppard, so it still might be a while yet before he is even eligible.

Yeah, I think Toney is pretty much a shoe-in as soon as he's eligible, but, like you said, it'll be a bit because he keeps taking these meaningless bouts every once in a while.

Also, I believe that Marvin Johnson belongs in the hall as he was an integral part of that particular golden age of the light-heavyweight division as well as a three-time world champion.

And Micky Ward ought to be enshrined because his epic trilogy with Arturo Gatti transcended the sport itself & actually became a part of pop culture. Without those fights, it's doubtful whether Gatti would have gotten into the HOF, so if Gatti's in there, then Ward also deserves to be IMO. Plus, Ward was also involved in several other great fights as well.

[scorpio83]

Tommy Paul
Primo Carnera
Hurricane Carter
Bennie Briscoe

I wish they get inducted, but we don't know when they would get that honor if it next to 10 years or more unless the International Boxing Hall of Fame change the rules to add few more fighters. However, we will wait and see.