Timothy Bradley, Carl Froch and Rafael Marquez are Hall of Famers.
The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that those former champions have been elected in the Men’s Modern category for the Class of 2023. Alicia Ashley and Laura Serrano will enter the Hall in the category. Modern for women. And coach Joe Goossen and broadcaster Tim Ryan were among others elected.
They will be officially inducted in June during the Hall of Fame Weekend in Canastota, New York.
Bradley (33-2-1, 13 KOs) was a five-time title winner in the welterweight and junior welterweight divisions and went on to become a successful television analyst on ESPN. He is from Palm Springs, California.
“This is one of the best days of my life,” Bradley said. “I appreciate this very much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I was ecstatic and really didn’t know what to say. This is everything I want and everything I work for. I’m full of emotions and there are so many things running through my mind from the past that have brought me to this point.
“This is a dream come true. This is my paradise, the International Boxing Hall of Fame.”
Froch (33-2, 24 KOs) is a three-time super middleweight champion. The British had one of the greatest comebacks in history, stopping rival George Groves with a punch at the crowded Wembley Stadium and then stopping the match.
“Brilliant! Great news, great news!” “It’s amazing to be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside so many legends of the sport. Boxing is the best sport in the world. It tests everything in one man and one man,” said Froch. Psychology, discipline, perseverance, determination, heart, desire, everything is in that ring and only you and your opponent.
“For me, being named the greatest boxer of all time in every weight class is amazing! I am very grateful to be recognized.”
Marquez’s vote (41-9, 37 KOS) gives his family two Hall of Famers. His brother, Juan Manuel Marquez, was introduced in 2020. Rafael Marquez, from Mexico, held the bantamweight and junior featherweight titles in the 2000s.
“Perfect! Thank you so much,” Rafael Marquez said. of Fame and I am so proud to be in Canastota with the greatest boxers of all time.”
Ashley (24-12-1, 4 KOs) and Serrano (17-5-3, 6 KOs) are among the best female boxers of the past 20 years.
“GOD! It’s an honor to stand in boxing history and be there with women I also admire so much. I’m completely ecstatic and speechless,” Ashley said.
Serrano said: “Oh my! This is interesting news. I’ve dedicated my life to boxing and I tried my best in those days when it was very difficult for women to fight, especially in my country of Mexico where I fought for women’s rights. I’m very happy. I am very grateful to all the members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.”
Joe Goossen also became the second family member to be introduced. The late promoter Dan Goossen, Joe’s brother, was introduced in 2020. Joe Goossen has trained a long list of elite fighters over the decades and is also an analyst for Fox.
“I have to tell you, I was completely stunned,” Goossen said. “To think I’ll be in the Hall of Fame with my brother Dan is probably the best thing I’ve heard since his passing. When I entered the sport in 1970, I would never have thought that in ten million years I would really make my mark and eventually make it into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. I am shocked and honored.”
Three boxers were elected posthumously: light heavyweight Tiger Jack Fox (Old Timer), flying class Pone Kingpetch (Old Timer) and JoAnn Hagen (Trailblazer).
Also voted in were matchmaker Brad Goodman and advertising executive Brad Jacobs (Opt out).
The honorees were elected by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and an international panel of boxing historians.
