Evander Holyfield, Marco Antonio Barrera, Johnny Tapia Head 2017 Boxing Hall of Fame Class
The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced this week the class
of 2017 and the three main entrants this year are considered among
the greatest of their generation: Evander Holyfield, Marco Antonio
Barrera and Johnny Tapia.
Holyfield (44-10-2, 29 KOs) was one of the toughest heavyweights in history as he routinely battled much larger men throughout his career. After winning Olympic gold in 1984, “The Real Deal” became the undisputed cruiserweight champion in the late ‘80s and replicated that feat at heavyweight several years later. Throughout his career, Holyfield triumphed over the likes of Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, Dwight Muhammad Qawi and George Foreman, as well as going 0-1-1 with Lennox Lewis, all of whom were eventually inducted into the IBHOF as well. Holyfield was involved in two Ring Magazine fights of the year.
Barrera (67-7, 44 KOs) has long been considered one of the top five
greatest fighters to ever emerge from boxing-rich Mexico. He took
on the greatest competition there was at super bantamweight,
featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight, where he
captured world titles in all of those divisions save for 135
pounds. “The Baby Faced Assassin” fought tooth and nail against
bitter rival Erik Morales, their trilogy among the most exciting in
history. He also went to war with Manny Pacquiao (twice), Juan
Manuel Marquez, Naseem Hamed, Tapia, Kennedy McKinney and Junior
Jones. Barrera partook in two Ring Magazine fights of the year as
well.
Tapia (59-5-2, 30 KOs) was one of the craziest, most exciting fighters of his era and like so many others before him, he electrified crowds with his fan-friendly style. He won world titles at super flyweight, bantamweight and featherweight and toppled elite fighters like Danny Romero, Jorge Eliecer Julio, Ricardo “Chapo” Vargas and Cesar Soto. He had two unbelievable brawls with rival Paulie Ayala, the first of which was named Ring Magazine’s fight of the year.
Also set to be inducted in June in Canastota, N.Y., will be Showtime Boxing broadcasters Steve Farhood and Barry Tompkins as well as trainer Johnny Lewis.
Holyfield (44-10-2, 29 KOs) was one of the toughest heavyweights in history as he routinely battled much larger men throughout his career. After winning Olympic gold in 1984, “The Real Deal” became the undisputed cruiserweight champion in the late ‘80s and replicated that feat at heavyweight several years later. Throughout his career, Holyfield triumphed over the likes of Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, Dwight Muhammad Qawi and George Foreman, as well as going 0-1-1 with Lennox Lewis, all of whom were eventually inducted into the IBHOF as well. Holyfield was involved in two Ring Magazine fights of the year.
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Tapia (59-5-2, 30 KOs) was one of the craziest, most exciting fighters of his era and like so many others before him, he electrified crowds with his fan-friendly style. He won world titles at super flyweight, bantamweight and featherweight and toppled elite fighters like Danny Romero, Jorge Eliecer Julio, Ricardo “Chapo” Vargas and Cesar Soto. He had two unbelievable brawls with rival Paulie Ayala, the first of which was named Ring Magazine’s fight of the year.
Also set to be inducted in June in Canastota, N.Y., will be Showtime Boxing broadcasters Steve Farhood and Barry Tompkins as well as trainer Johnny Lewis.
