Comments Thread For: Mayweather, Klitschko, Ward, Jones Create 2022 HOF Debate

[TheCell8]

As it stands, it's going to be very hard for Ward to get in. If BHop announces his retirement then there is no chance Ward or Wlad get in.

Ward was a better fighter than Wlad. But didn't participate in as many big fights nor have the kind of impact globally that Wlad had.

Ward gained recognition in 2011, winning the super 6, but after that he only had 7 fights and you could argue the only significant ones were the two Kovalev fights and they didn't exactly do big numbers. Meanwhile Wlad's fights were huge events plus he dominated the division, albeit a weak division, for 9 years.

[angkag]

Ward is unbeaten in pros and also been P4P for few years. That is why I think he gets HOF sit no matter of questionable decision with Kovalev and average competition.

You need to remember who votes, which is primarily the Boxing Writers Association of America along with other contributors from around the world.

Most of the people voting from the Writers Association had Kovalev beating Ward in the first fight (73% of 60 writers polled at the time had Kovalev), and they won't forget.

The Hall of Fame vote is a subjective one, just like press row scoring, and most of those voting will continue their opinion that Ward lost to Kovalev.

Not looking to reignite the 'who beat who' debate, just pointing out how it may factor into the vote, as most of those voting may not view Ward as unbeaten.

[Snoop Frog]

Y'all musta forgot!

Floyd and RJJ in on P4P dominance and transcending the sport as a result.

I'd probably go Ward next, again due to P4P standing, even though I've always hated the clinching and borderline tactics he uses (hey, if he got away with it, the other guy could have used them, too, I guess).

If the Pac Man stops fighting after The Hornet loss, I put Pac Mania in over SOG.

[angkag]

As it stands, it's going to be very hard for Ward to get in. If BHop announces his retirement then there is no chance Ward or Wlad get in.

Hopkins last fight was 2016, so he's in the class of 2016 as it stands.

Those in the class of 2017 are Ward, Mayweather, Wlad and Jones.

[Lou Cipher]

What is the debate? Did coWard and Quitchko both apply for the same seater job?

[sterilizer]

No doubt the guy has tremendous boxing skills, (Ward) but come on, he also has tremendous cheating tactics.

Instead of getting disqualified for blatantly throwing 4+ low blows in a row 100% on purpose, to knock down a defenseless opponent, defenseless because there was a sold-out referee in there, they award this cheater a KO victory and immediately after, the mostly American "experts" deem him the best P4P fighter of this time?

That is just beyond ridiculous. The day there's JUST ONE COUNTRY IN THE WORLD as profitable as the US is, where referees and judges cannot be sold out, I am sure boxing in general will have a vast improvement. But that may never ever happen. China already tried this briefly and failed.

[Bjl12]

What is the debate? Did coWard and Quitchko both apply for the same seater job?

I think only 3 guys get in per year. Since the 2022 ballot will feature FMJ, Wlad, RJJ, and Ward one of them will have to wait until 2023. All of them are 100% HOF...but one will have to wait a year bc of technicalities

[ShoulderRoll]

Ward has the better overall skill set and the better resume. Finished his career unbeaten. His impact on the sport wasn't as big, though.

Klitschko, on the other hand, has the longer career and dominated the sport's glamour division. However his level of opposition is lacking and that glamour division lost shine to the lower weight classes during his reign.

There's definitely room for debate in my opinion.

[BoxingJunkie]

It comes down to Wlad and Jones. Honestly, if that's the rules, that is ******ed. But Jones should just have to wait an extra year. That is his own fault for still fighting in 2017. Also, while RJJ was one of the most naturally gifted, freakishly athletic, impressive fighters to ever watch when he was in his prime. The problem is his choice of opponents while in his prime. It was horrible. Haters went crazy on Mayweather, but my God, he would have literally been publicly crucified on live t.v. if he fought the guys RJJ did. Mayweather and Ward have the best wins and the most quality wins. And honestly, maybe spending the last full decade of your career being the butt of jokes and getting ko'd by nobodies, maybe one should have to wait an extra year for being that ******.

My view exactly!

[Lou Cipher]

I think only 3 guys get in per year. Since the 2022 ballot will feature FMJ, Wlad, RJJ, and Ward one of them will have to wait until 2023. All of them are 100% HOF...but one will have to wait a year bc of technicalities

Jones will probably be getting knocked out in Antarctica a few weeks before the induction, so he isn't going to be eligible based on the mandatory inactivity time.