05.10.06 – By Jim Amato: I just received my ballot for the International Boxing Hall Of Fame induction nominees. There are 45 boxers on the ballot. Danny “Little Red” Lopez was not one of them. OUCH!!!
We can vote for ten. The top three vote getters will be enshrined. To me it’s a no brainier…Roberto Duran ( my all time favorite ), Pernell Whitaker and Ricardo Lopez. I was not a Whitaker fan while he was active. Like Roy Jones Jr. in his prime this guy didn’t lose fights, hell he rarely lost a round ! He was a true master of the ring. I recall a fight he had with Louie Lomeli. A tough guy who fought out of the Chicago area. The Whitaker that beat Lomeli that night was comparable to the Ali who beat Cleveland Williams. He was flawless. That night I knew, Whitaker was destined for greatness.
There are a couple of boxers I hope will get in someday. Eddie Perkins who is going into the World Boxing Hall Of Fame. Jimmy Carruthers, one of the greatest bantamweights of all time. Two outstanding flyweights champions, Pone Kingpetch and Betulio Gonzalez.
Holman Williams I hope will enter the Hall one day. Masao Ohba, a young great who tragically had his career end all too soon due to a car accident. The long and distinguished career of Jose Legra has to be taken seriously. Rafael Herrera holds two wins over Hall Of Famer, Ruben Olivares. Ernesto Marcel who holds a win over Alexis Arguello. At one time Donald Curry was considered the best pound for pound boxer in the world!
You could probably make a case for all of them. It is all a matter of opinion. I tip my hat to all forty five nominees. They all deserve to be on the ballot. Best of luck to you all.