12/21/24
December 08, 2010
New to Boxing Hall: Tyson, Chavez ... and Rocky?: Two of boxing's biggest stars of the 1990s are going into the Boxing Hall of Fame. It was no surprise that Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez, who combined for 157 wins, got the nod. Tyson was the undisputed heavyweight champ while Chavez was a title winner in three divisions.
The day's shocker, though, was that the name Sylvester Stallone appeared alongside the boxing legends. That's right, Stallone is going into the BHOF for his contributions to the sport through film. Stallone gained worldwide fame between 1976-2006, playing the fictional character "Rocky Balboa" in six movies.
An interesting inclusion, considering the impact the character may have had in reclaiming some popularity for professional boxing at the time. Consider the fact that Abbott and Costello are enshrined in the Baseball Museum at Cooperstown (though NOT the Hall of Fame).
posted by billinnagoya to boxing at 07:35 AM - 9 comments
I guess this means that Curly Howard has a shot at getting in. With or without the Limburger.
posted by beaverboard at 08:47 AM on December 08, 2010
nyuk nyuk nyuk
posted by graymatters at 09:23 AM on December 08, 2010
Yeah, it pretty much makes sense...The first two Rocky movies were really great flicks and absolutely introduced many people to the sport. Tyson may have been inducted, but his career will ALWAYS be a what-if.
posted by vito90 at 11:35 AM on December 08, 2010
Tyson may have been inducted, but his career will ALWAYS be a what-if.
Those early years, when Tyson was destroying everyone in front of him, was probably the last high point in most people's minds for the heavyweight division.
I still get a kick out of watching those early fights where he was unstoppable. Some of those punches...I don't know how he didn't kill someone in the ring with those uppercuts.
posted by grum@work at 12:36 PM on December 08, 2010
Tyson may have been inducted, but his career will ALWAYS be a what-if.
There's really no what-if's about Tyson. He was the youngest to become heavyweight champion and was just a force during his prime. Sure, 3 years of his career was cut short due to his stint in prison but how can anyone forget how devastating Tyson truly was?
An absolute Hall of Famer!
As for Sly, for his contribution of the sport of boxing with his Rocky movies this is a no brainer.
posted by BornIcon at 01:23 PM on December 08, 2010
I agree with bornicon, why look for what ifs when it comes to Tyson. What he actually did for the time he was in his prime is all that is required for induction to the HOF.
I still love to watch his old fights, he may not have been the greatest boxer of all time but he certainly would have to be considered the greatest puncher. I can't recall any fighter with the combination of both speed and punching power together. As a teenager he was destroying seasoned fighters with ease.
It is a shame how his life spiraled out of control but none of that can take away what he was for a while in the ring.
I can't recall who said it but I distinctly remember one announcers comment as Tyson came into the ring, no socks, towel over his shoulders and a look that could kill he said "when this guy comes into the ring, you just know someone is going to get hurt"
posted by Atheist at 06:46 PM on December 08, 2010
Oh. You guys are serious about an actor getting into the Boxing Hall of Fame for portraying a boxer. Wow. Stallone gets in but De Niro is just a contender. Yeah, that makes sense.
posted by irunfromclones at 07:08 AM on December 11, 2010
I guess if an actor can be President of the US, one can be placed in the Boxing Hall of Fame.
posted by Howard_T at 05:03 PM on December 11, 2010
Kostya Tszyu also made it in on the first try with JCC and Tyson; all very deserving candidates.