The International Boxing Hall of fame Class of 2021 will be remembered as one of the strongest. And perhaps one of the most controversial.
Floyd Mayweather, Andre Ward and Wladimir Klitschko have been elected in the Modern category, it was announced Tuesday. Missing out are Miguel Cotto and James Toney, fighters with solid Hall of Fame credentials who fell victim to the system.
Laila Ali and Ann Wolfe were elected in the women’s Modern category.
Of course, Mayweather, the greatest boxer of his era, was a no-brainer. “Money” finished his career 50-0 and retired as the sport’s biggest attraction.
“It is a great honor for me to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as a first-ballot nominee and a member of the 2021 class,” Mayweather said. “Throughout my career, I gave everything I could to the sport of boxing, and now, to be recognized by one of the most prestigious honors in the sport for that hard work and dedication is very humbling.
“I am looking forward to attending the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in June and being honored alongside the other members of the class of 2021, too.”
Ward (32-0, 16 KOs) was a superb boxer who won major titles at super middleweight and light heavyweight. He also was the last American man to win an Olympic gold medal.
“I’ve been waiting for this call for most of my life,” he said. “It finally came. I’m a first-ballot Hall of Famer. God has been good to me. I can finally rest now. This chapter of my life is complete.”
Klitschko (64-5, 53 KOs) overcame some early-career slipups to rule the heavyweight division for a decade. He also was an Olympic gold medalist for Ukraine.
He joins his older brother, Vitali, in the Hall.
“Thank you for the great news; it is an honor to be a Hall of Famer,” Klitschko said. “I’m so impressed with the dedication and passion the Village of Canastota has for boxing. All of the champions feel so honored and blessed to be in the Hall of Fame. It’s amazing.”
The problem for Cotto and Toney was that only the top three vote getters – from members of the Boxing Writers Association of America – are guaranteed election. Others must receive votes on 80% of the ballots for induction. Obviously, Cotto and Toney fell short.
They’ll have to wait another year, although they will then compete with a new wave of fighters who become eligible for the first time.
Ali (24-0, 21 KOs) follows her father – Muhammad Ali – into the Hall. She is arguably the greatest female boxer of all time.
“Being that my father was also inducted many years ago, it makes this honor extra special to me,” Ali said. “I learned so much inside the ring that I have applied to every area of my life outside of the ring. Boxing will forever be my first love. …
“And knowing that I will be on the Hall of Fame Wall, inspiring others who come behind me for years to come, is a blessing that I will never take for granted.”
Wolfe (24-1, 16 KOs) doesn’t have the name recognition of some female boxers but she was a gifted, imposing figure in the first years of the 21st century. She went on to become a trainer.
Also elected were boxers Davey Moore, Jackie Tonawanda and Miriam Trimiar; cut man Freddie Brown; trainer/manager Jackie McCoy; journalist George Kimball; and Showtime executive Jay Larkin.
Those elected this year will be inducted in June of next year in Canastota, N.Y., assuming the coronavirus virus allows it. The Hall of Fame canceled induction ceremonies this year because of the pandemic.
The Class of 2020 — including Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez, “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker — will enter the Hall with the Class of 2021.
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