Is It Time for an International Boxing Hall of Fame?
By Billie Sloane, IFL TV
Let’s get straight to the point—boxing is a global sport with heroes hailing from every corner of the planet. Yet, the most prestigious honor in the sport, induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, is overwhelmingly US-centric. Sure, the Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, has celebrated some of the sport’s international greats, but the fact remains: many fighters from outside the US are often overlooked.
Which brings us to the big question—does boxing need an International Fighters’ Hall of Fame? One that truly represents the sport’s worldwide reach and honors the legends who made their mark beyond America’s shores. Or would such a move dilute the prestige of the existing institution, turning something exclusive into just another participation trophy?
The Case for an International Hall of Fame: It’s Time to Go Global
Boxing has never been confined to one country. From Tokyo to Tijuana, Belfast to Bangkok, the sport’s most iconic moments have unfolded across the globe. Yet when it comes to cementing a fighter’s legacy, the Hall of Fame remains heavily skewed toward US fighters.
Take Ukrainian legends like the Klitschko brothers—Wladimir and Vitali dominated the heavyweight division for over a decade. Then there’s Kazakh phenom Gennady Golovkin, who redefined middleweight power-punching. Fighters like these transcended borders and brought global attention to the sport, yet they rarely get the same recognition as their American counterparts.
The current setup leaves a glaring question: is the Hall of Fame doing enough to celebrate the sport’s true diversity? Establishing an International Fighters’ Hall of Fame would be a game-changer. It would finally offer fighters from non-traditional boxing markets the respect they deserve and give fans from around the world a place to honor their heroes.
And let’s not forget about the incredible women’s boxing scene outside the US. Irish star Katie Taylor and Argentina’s Marcela Acuña have played massive roles in elevating the sport, yet the Hall of Fame’s recognition of female fighters has been painfully slow. Isn’t it time we changed that?
The Risks: Would an International Hall Dilute the Legacy?
But not so fast—there’s another side to this argument. What makes the International Boxing Hall of Fame special is precisely its exclusivity. Creating an alternative, international version could dilute its prestige, turning what should be an elite honor into something less meaningful.
Would an International Fighters’ Hall of Fame feel like a second-tier consolation prize for those who didn’t get the nod from Canastota? Or worse, would it split the boxing world, forcing fans to debate which Hall of Fame really matters?
Look at other sports that have tried similar approaches. The basketball world recognizes players through the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, but the global FIBA Hall of Fame, while honorable, doesn’t carry the same weight. The last thing boxing needs is another layer of confusion in an already fragmented industry.
And let’s be brutally honest—who would run this new Hall of Fame? Boxing’s governing bodies can barely agree on sanctioning belts and rankings. Would they ever cooperate on something like this? Or would it devolve into another battleground for politics and personal interests?
What It Could Mean for the Future
Still, imagine what an International Fighters’ Hall of Fame could do for the sport’s future. It wouldn’t just be about honoring the past—it would inspire the next generation. Fighters from emerging boxing markets like Uzbekistan, Thailand, and the Philippines would know that their accomplishments won’t be lost in the shuffle just because they didn’t box out of Las Vegas or Madison Square Garden.
It could also help boxing become more accessible to casual fans. Picture a global Hall of Fame event that travels to different countries every year—Tokyo one year, London the next, then Mexico City or Manila. It would bring the sport to new audiences and celebrate the diversity that makes boxing so electrifying.
Who Gets to Decide Legacy?
In a sport as fiercely debated as boxing, here’s a question few people stop to ask—who should decide which fighters deserve a place in the Hall of Fame? Who holds the keys to boxing immortality, and are they the right people to shape the sport’s history?
Right now, the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, relies on a select panel of journalists, historians, and industry insiders to cast their votes. But is that the fairest and most objective way? Are we leaving too much power in the hands of an exclusive club? After all, boxing’s true legacy isn’t just written by insiders—it’s shaped by fans, fighters, and the communities they inspire.
The Case for a Diverse Panel
If boxing is truly global, shouldn’t its Hall of Fame selection committee reflect that? Instead of a group largely rooted in North American boxing culture, why not expand to include international voices—former world champions, trainers, and journalists from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America? This would offer a broader perspective, ensuring that legends from less traditional boxing hotbeds—places like Japan, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines—get the recognition they deserve. Fighters like Kostya Tszyu, Nonito Donaire, and Naoya Inoue have transformed boxing in their regions, yet they don’t always receive the same reverence as their American or British counterparts. Why? Because the gatekeepers of boxing history may not always have the full picture.
Should Fans Have a Say?
What about the fans? Should they have a voice in the process? After all, they’re the ones who fill the arenas, buy the pay-per-views, and stick with the sport through thick and thin. A fan vote—perhaps weighted alongside expert opinions—could democratize the selection process and ensure that no worthy fighter is overlooked because they didn’t fit the traditional mold.
However, there’s a flipside. Could giving fans too much influence turn the Hall of Fame into a popularity contest? Boxing isn’t short of charismatic personalities who’ve captured public imagination without necessarily being all-time greats. The last thing we want is for the Hall of Fame to devolve into a contest of who has the most Instagram followers.
Legacy Is a Complex Thing
Let’s not forget—legacies in boxing aren’t built overnight. They’re the product of blood, sweat, and years of sacrifice in and out of the ring. But the truth is, some fighters’ contributions aren’t fully appreciated until years later. How many legends were underestimated during their careers, only to be properly celebrated long after their gloves were hung up?
For instance, Larry Holmes, one of the greatest heavyweights in history, was often overshadowed during his reign. It wasn’t until years later that his achievements were fully recognized. How many other fighters are out there right now who deserve similar credit but are being overlooked by the current system?
Is It Time for a Complete Overhaul?
Maybe the entire Hall of Fame process needs a rethink. Should we establish regional Halls of Fame that feed into a central International Hall of Fame? Should we have clearer, more transparent criteria for what constitutes a Hall of Famer? Should longevity and title defenses outweigh raw talent and short-term stardom?
The reality is that deciding who deserves a place in boxing’s history books is no small task. It’s a responsibility that should be shared widely, not guarded by a handful of insiders. Because at the end of the day, boxing is about far more than wins and losses—it’s about heart, resilience, and the stories that inspire generations.
So, here’s the question: Who do you trust to tell boxing’s story? Should it be journalists? Former fighters? Trainers? Fans? Or all of them combined? Because whoever holds the pen has the power to shape how future generations view the sport—and that’s a legacy worth fighting for.
Billie Sloane takes a ‘no holes barred’ approach as he has his say on some of the major talking points in the crazy world that is boxing.