The International Boxing Hall of Fame could have a problem.
The IBHOF has released its list of candidates for the Class of 2021. And there arguably are five no-brainers on the ballot, guys who could receive check marks without doing much research.
They are (in alphabetical order): Miguel Cotto, Wladimir Klitschko, Floyd Mayweather, James Toney and Andre Ward. And that’s not counting other fighters some believe are worthy of induction, such as Tim Bradley, Diego Corrales and Rafael Marquez.
The problem?
Only the top three vote getters are guaranteed election into the Hall. More could get in but they would have to receive votes on 80% of the ballots, which is far from sure thing. Only three were elected last year.
And, in this case, you can’t blame the change in the retirement threshold – from five to three years — instituted before last year’s voting, which could potentially create a glut of worthy candidates depending on the year.
All five of the no-brainers happened to fight for the last time in 2017, which makes them eligible in this year’s voting.
So who gets in?
Mayweather is a slam dunk. No discussion needed. I think the other four are essentially in a dead heat. I hope Nos. 4 and 5, whomever they are, get to that to 80% level but I’m not optimistic.
Of course, they could be elected next year or beyond but they’ll be in competition with the coming crops of eligible fighters.
We’ll see how this plays out.
Here is the full list of candidates (in alphabetical order): Yuri Arbachakov, Jorge Arce, Paulie Ayala, Nigel Benn, Timothy Bradley, Vuyani Bungu, Ivan Calderon, Joel Casamayor, Sot Chitalada, Diego Corrales, Miguel Cotto, Chris Eubank, Carl Froch, Leo Gamez, Ricky Hatton, Genaro Hernandez, Chris John, Mikkel Kessler, Wladimir Klitschko, Santos Laciar, Rocky Lockridge, Miguel “Happy” Lora, Rafael Marquez, Henry Maske, Floyd Mayweather, Dariusz Michalczewski, Sung-Kil Moon, Michael Moorer, Orzubek Nazarov, Sven Ottke, Vinny Paz, Gilberto Roman, Gianfranco Rosi, Samuel Serrano, Antonio Tarver, Meldrick Taylor, James Toney, Fernando Vargas, Israel Vazquez, Wilfredo Vazquez, Ratanapol Sor Vorapin and Andre Ward.
Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley were elected last year but the induction weekend, normally in June, was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. They will be inducted with the Class of 2021 next year.
Also last year, Barbara Buttrick, Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker became the first women boxers to be elected.
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