Momma, I’m a Hall of Famer!
By Eddie Sanchez
Three boxers have officially earned the highest honor one can earn in the sport of boxing. Timothy Bradley, Carl Froch and Rafael Marquez will enter the International Boxing Hall of Fame this summer, it was announced Wednesday.
Timothy Bradley, the two-division champion who defeated Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, engaged in many fan-friendly fights. Following his controversial victory against Manny Pacauiao in 2012, Timothy went toe-to-toe with Ruslan Provodnikov and Juan Manuel Marquez respectively. He followed up a loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2014 with three high-action bouts, where he went (2-0-1) in that time before losing a trilogy bout to Manny.
Timothy Bradley ended his career with a record of (33 – 2 – 1 (1)). He currently enjoys success as an elite ringside contributor of ESPN Boxing. Recognized as one of the smartest minds in boxing commentary, Timothy Bradley, aka “Desert Storm,” will be etched in boxing history.
Joining Timothy is Carl Froch, who faced a who’s who of the super middleweight division during his championship reign. The two-time Super Middleweight Champion’s record stands at (33 -2). His competition includes the likes of Jean Pascal, Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Mikkel Kessler (L / W), Arthur Abraham, Andre Ward (L), and George Groves. Carl Frosh will go down as one of the most respected fighters in his division’s history for his willingness to take on all competitors.
Rafael Marquez (41 – 9), the final member of the modern-era Hall of Fame inductees, who combined with Israel Vazquez for one of boxing’s greatest rivalries, will be inducted alongside Bradley and Froch on June 11 in Canastota, New York.
Marquez, the younger brother to Juan Manuel Marquez, reigned as Bantamweight Champion for three and a half years, including six title defenses, before becoming a two-weight champion against Israel Vazquez (Super Bantamweight division). Marquez’s rivalry with Vazquez included two victories and two defeats, three title fights, and fourth and final bout where he earned the honorary WBC SIlver Championship belt.
