Boxing expert will not vote for Iron Mike
Boxing expert Colin Hart confirms that Mike Tyson will not get his vote in December when it comes to potential Hall of Fame inductees.
The esteemed writer recently wrote a piece criticizing Tyson’s possible induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHF) despite many in the boxing community assuming he will top the list of those inducted.
Tyson became eligible for the first time this year. Fighters must be retired for a full five years at the time of induction in order to be eligible.
Hart said: “We always had a good relationship and Tyson gave me some memorable interviews, so I have nothing personal against him. But having wrestled with my conscience for several days, he won't get my vote.”
He elaborated on the reasons for which he would not support Tyson’s ascension into the memorial halls, including his conviction for rape in 1992 and an in-the-ring incident that left opponent Evander Holyfield minus half an ear.
Continuing, Hart said: “Now, The Hall isn’t inhabited by angels. Abe Attell was believed to have thrown a few fights. Jake La Motta admitted to taking a dive and Rocky Graziano had a criminal record. Yet they all pale into insignificance compared to Tyson’s
outrageous behavior.”
Although Hart expressed a clear moral stance, there are those who believe The Hall of Fame should not concern itself with questions of morality but simply induct those who do a stunning job in the ring. On the other hand, many, such as Hart, believe out-of-ring
conduct matters as much if not more.
A statement of purpose on the IBHF’s website reads that the mission is to “honor and preserve boxing's rich heritage, chronicle the achievements of those who excelled and provide an educational experience for our many visitors.”
Tyson holds the record as the youngest heavyweight fight to ever win the WBC, WBA and IBF titles. He won the WBC title at the age of 20 by defeating Trevor Berbick.
Though his career saw innumerable setbacks in the late nineties and 2000s, Tyson is considered one of the most formidable heavyweights and strongest punchers of all time.
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