Life is great for Timothy Bradley in 2012, when he won with the legendary Pacquiao. The upset was suspected, certainly, and many of those who saw the fight believed that Pacquiao, not Bradley, deserved to win.
Bradley was sending out threats, hate mail and being the target of abuse from Pacquiao fans, even though he had nothing to do with it.
That controversy has overshadowed much of his brilliant career. Congruent was announced on Wednesday as one of 10 men elected as part of the International Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2013.
Joining Bradley are champions Carl Froch, Rafael Marquez, Alicia Ashley and Laura Serrano; winner Brad Goodman; promoter Brad Jacobs; Joe Goossen, educator; former HBO Sports president Seth Abraham and occasional Tim Ryan.
Bradley, who became an elite television analyst after working for ESPN on its Top Rank boxing broadcasts, went 33-2-1. His only losses were to Pacquiao and his draw came in 2014 against Diego Chaves.
He defeated 11 men who were champions or held world titles at some point in their careers: Pacquiao, Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Marquez, Brandon Rios, Jessie Vargas, Ruslan Provodnikov, Joel Casamayor, Junior Witter, Miguel Vazquez, Kendall Holt, Alexander Devon. and Lamont Peterson.
“This is one of the greatest days of my life,” said Bradley, “I’m just grateful for this. I thank you from the bottom of my chest. I am ecstatic and don’t know what to say. I wanted all these things and worked them all out. I am full of emotions and so many things have gone through my mind from the past that have gotten me here. This is a dream. This is my heaven, the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Bradley is one of three people with connections to Top Rank who were chosen as part of the Class of 2023. Jacobs, who is Top Rank’s COO, was best known for running the popular “Tuesday Night Fight” on the USA Network. Goodman started with Top Rank as an intern in 1983 in New York and has been one of its primary winners since 2004. Before joining Top Rank, the winner did a pair of monthly shows at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and he was the best show in the country club at the time.
“Brad Goodman and Brad Jacobs have been integral to Top Rank’s success over the years, and I congratulate both of them on this well-deserved honor,” said Top Rank President Bob Arum. “Timothy Bradley Jr. is a Hall of Famer, both inside and outside the ring, and will take his place among the greats of the sport.”
Froch fought in the top middleweight division and went 33-2 with 24 knockouts. He went 10-2 in world fights and claimed one of his losses, to Mikkel Kessler, by unanimous decision in 2013. The only guy he fought that he didn’t beat was Andre Ward.
“Clara! This is wonderful, great news!” Froch said. “It’s amazing to be inducted into the Hall of Fame with so many legends from across the sport. Boxing is the best sport in the world. It tests everything in a man and a woman. Mind, discipline, grit, determination, heart, desire. It’s all in the ring and yourself with your opponent. it is just yours. For every age I have been led by every weight brought by the greatest! I know that this is acceptable.”
Rafael Marquez joins his brother, John Manuel Marquez, as a Hall of Famer. He was 41-9 with 37 KOs and was one of the toughest fighters of his time. His four-game hitting streak with Israel Vazquez remains one of the best in the history of the sport.
Goossen is also the second Goossen to be elected, with Dan joining his late brother in receiving the honor. Joe Goossen has been one of the game’s best coaches for decades, but he is perhaps best remembered for his role in moving Diego Corrales into a 2005 classic match with Jose Luis Castillo. In one of the greatest fights of all time, Corrales was killed twice in 10 and almost stopped. He lost his mouth and when Goossen replaced it, he was encouraged. Corrales made a dramatic comeback to win by KO.
“I’ve got to tell you, I’m stunned,” Goossen said. “To believe that I’m in the Hall of Fame with my brother Dan is probably the best thing I’ve heard since he died. When I got back into the sport in 1970, I never thought in 10 million years that I would actually be inducted and eventually end up in the International Boxing Hall of Fame . I am ashamed and honored.”