Tim Bradley, the two-weight world champion, has taken a trip down memory lane after his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame's 2023 class. The former pound-for-pound star has opened up about the fights that got away during his impressive career.
Bradley's journey to the top started early. He grabbed his first world title at just 24 years old, beating Junior Witter for the super-lightweight crown. But it was his win over Manny Pacquiao in 2012 that really put him on the map, earning him the WBO Welterweight Title. Bradley's only two losses came in rematches against the Filipino legend, cementing a rivalry that defined his career.
Looking back, Bradley can't help but think about the fights that never happened. In a candid interview with Sean Zittel, he opened up about missed opportunities with Amir Khan and Floyd Mayweather.
The Khan fight was close to happening. They were set for a unification bout at 140lbs before Bradley faced Pacquiao. But a switch in promoters led to what Bradley calls a "business decision" to pass on the fight. Khan claims Bradley turned him down twice, but Bradley disputes that he was avoiding the matchup.
Bradley didn't mince words when talking about Khan:
"Khan wasn't man enough for me. That chin was… I'm letting you know that right now. Khan does have some balls, I give that, as far as when he fought against Canelo, he took on challenges. He was never no shy dude, but his chin wouldn't hold up. Especially not with me."
He went on to say:
"I know people will be like 'you don't punch' – I punch hard enough to rock his world for sure. No diddy on that one. That's for damn sure. If he struggled against one of the guys i fought in Lamont Peterson, bro that'd been all."
Bradley's competitive fire still burns when it comes to Khan:
"Anyway, shoulda, woulda, coulda. But Khan knows he can always get that work. I owe him that and I told him already. He in a wheelchair and I see his ass I'm gonna run his ass off the road. It don't matter. He know he can get it."
The other fight Bradley wishes he'd had was against Floyd Mayweather. Unlike with Khan, this desire comes from a place of respect and the challenge it would have presented:
"It's him and Mayweather – those are the only two that got away. I wish I could've had a shot at Mayweather. Not gonna lie, I don't know if I would beat him, the motherf***er was no joke. He's a bad mama jama … But I can tell you it would've been competitive. That was another one I wish I could've got."
Despite these missed opportunities, Bradley's Hall of Fame induction proves his career was far from lacking. His reflections offer a glimpse into the competitive spirit that drove him to the top of the boxing world.
