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Examining the 2022 International Boxing Hall of Fame class

By Matthew Saljanin

CANASTOTA, NY - JUNE 11: The signage for the International Boxing Hall of Fame is seen during the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction Weekend of Champions event on June 11, 2017 in Canastota, New York. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
CANASTOTA, NY - JUNE 11: The signage for the International Boxing Hall of Fame is seen during the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction Weekend of Champions event on June 11, 2017 in Canastota, New York. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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Last year saw many future Hall of Fame fighters announce their retirement from the sport of boxing. However, only three “modern” fighters get inducted per year, which will leave deserving fighters in an unfortunate situation.

In 2017, many elite fighters officially announced their retirement from the sport of boxing (although boxers do have a tendency to retire just to un-retire a few months later). Assuming, however, that each fighter stays true to their word, there will be eight fighters who officially retired in 2017, with each having Hall of Fame-worthy careers. The problem? Only three “modern” fighters get inducted each year, so there will be some debate as to which three will be inducted in 2022. Some very deserving fighters are going to have to wait to get in.

A case can be made for any of these guys, but only three will make the cut. The question remains: Which three should be first-ballot inductees? That will require taking a look at the careers of each eligible fighter. First up, Timothy Bradley:

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 09: Timothy Bradley Jr. (L) and Manny Pacquiao battle during their welterweight championship fight on April 9, 2016 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 09: Timothy Bradley Jr. (L) and Manny Pacquiao battle during their welterweight championship fight on April 9, 2016 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Timothy Bradley (33-2-1, 13 KOs)

The first fighter on our list in Timothy Bradley. He arguably has the worst case to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer of anyone on this list, but that is absolutely not taking anything away from him. The only two losses on his impressive record came at the hands of the all-time great Manny Pacquiao, which is nothing to be ashamed of.

Before becoming champion, Bradley earned a win over future champion Miguel Vasquez in 2007. He then went on to win his first title in 2008, when he defeated Junior Witter. From there, he earned victories over Kendall Holt, Nate Campbell, Lamont Peterson (who was undefeated at the time), Devon Alexander (who was undefeated and a top young fighter), Manny Pacquiao (despite being controversial), Ruslan Provodnikov (in a tremendous display of heart), Juan Manuel Marquez (who was coming off his historic knockout of Pacquiao) and Jessie Vargas (who was undefeated at the time of their fight).

These are some very impressive wins, and all came in a eight year stretch. Besides those fights, he was very rarely in a fight viewed as a mismatch, always gave 100% and was one of the classiest guys in boxing.

Bradley last fought in 2016, so it will be interesting to see what the Hall of Fame does with his eligibility.

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