Trust me, I've had worse debut performances.

A few come to mind right away. But that's, ahem, another story.

In this context a year ago, all three of the modern-era fighters eventually deemed worthy of induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame -- Lennox Lewis, Orlando Canizales and Brian Mitchell -- had check marks next to their names as 'Yes' votes on my inaugural Boxing Writers Association of America ballot.

Not bad for a first-time voter, if you ask me.

Still, the task gets no easier this time around.

No fewer than 45 boxers active for at least one fight since 1943 are again on the ballot for 2010 recognition, with voting done through Oct. 31 by BWAA members and select non-members chosen by the Hall's board of directors.

Each 'modern' voter chooses from one to 10 boxers, with the top three vote- getters punching a ticket. The IBHOF board chooses hall-worthy observers, non- participants, pioneers and old-timers.

Other inductees last year included promoter/matchmaker/publicist Bob Goodman, promoter Akihiko Honda, journalist Hugh McIlvanney and broadcaster Larry Merchant.

Here's one man's look at their potential new colleagues in 2010:

Georgie Abrams -- Floored champion Tony Zale in failed 1941 middleweight title bid; lost decisions to Ray Robinson, Marcel Cerdan and Fred Apostoli. Vote: NO.

Horacio Accavallo -- Seventy-five wins in 83 career fights; held WBA flyweight title in 1966-67. Vote: NO.

Joey Archer -- Defeated Ray Robinson in Robinson's final fight; two failed bids against middleweight champion Emile Griffith in 1966-67. Vote: NO.

Jose Becerra -- Seventy-two wins in 79 career fights; held world bantamweight title in 1959-60. Vote: NO.

Johnny Bratton -- Held NBA welterweight title in 1951; went 0-2-1 in three bouts with Kid Gavilan. Vote: NO.

Jimmy Carruthers -- Held world bantamweight title from 1952-54; went 2-4 over six-fight comeback in 1961-62. Vote: NO.

Jung-Koo Chang -- WBA light flyweight champion from 1983-89; 15 successful title defenses. Vote: YES.

Donald Curry -- Held WBA, IBF and WBC welterweight titles between 1983-86; subsequently won WBC title at 154 pounds. Vote: NO.

Hiroyuki Ebihara -- Held WBA/WBC flyweight titles in 1963-64; later held WBA championship in 1969. Vote: NO.

Tommy Farr -- Won 81 of 126 career bouts; dropped 15-round decision to heavyweight champion Joe Louis in 1937. Vote: NO.

Tiger Jack Fox -- Won 153 of 191 career bouts; fought professionally from 1928-50. Vote: NO.

Ceferino Garcia -- Won 102 of 142 career bouts; held NYSAC world middleweight title in 1939-40. Vote: NO.

Betulio Gonzalez -- Won 75 of 91 career bouts; three flyweight title reigns between 1972-79. Vote: NO.

Yoko Gushiken -- Won WBA junior flyweight title in ninth career bout; made 13 successful title defenses. Vote: YES.

Naseem Hamed -- Held WBO, IBF and WBC flyweight titles between 1995-2001; went 17-1 with 14 knockouts in 18 career championship bouts. Vote: YES.

Carlos Hernandez -- Held WBA/WBC junior welterweight titles in 1965-66; lost subsequent WBA title bout in 1969. Vote: NO.

Rafael Herrera -- Won WBA/WBC bantamweight titles from Ruben Olivares in 1972; subsequently held WBC championship in 1973-74. Vote: NO.

Al Hostak -- Two reigns as NBA world middleweight champion; stopped twice in title bouts by Tony Zale. Vote: NO.

Harry Jeffra -- Won 94 of 122 career bouts; held world titles at bantamweight and featherweight. Vote: NO.

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