Some figures have been immortalized for far less than what others have achieved. It’s time the International Boxing Hall of Fame reevaluates who truly deserves a place in Canastota
On 8 June, 14 men and women will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. Some, like Manny Pacquiao, clearly deserve the honor. Others – in my opinion – don’t. More egregiously, some fighters and other members of the boxing community who should be in the Hall of Fame have never even been on the ballot.
I’d like to highlight some of them. Let’s start with fighters and, for purposes of comparison, put their ring accomplishments side by side with those of one of the 2025 inductees: Vinny Pazienza.
Thomas Hauser’s email address is thomashauserwriter@gmail.com. His next book – The Most Honest Sport: Two More Years Inside Boxing – will be published this month and is available for preorder. In 2019, Hauser was selected for boxing’s highest honor – induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
