The International Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will be inducted Sunday in Canastota, New York.
Tim Bradley, Carl Froch and Rafael Marquez highlight the diverse class. Bradley is American, Froch British and Marquez Mexican. And, of course, all three were highly successful over long careers.
Here is a breakdown of the boxers who will be inducted (Modern Category, men; Modern Category, women; and Old-Timers).
MODERN CATEGORY (MEN)
TIMOTHY BRADLEY
Years active: 2004-16
Record: 33-2-1 (16 KOs)
I wonder whether people who have come to know Bradley as an analyst have forgotten how good he was as a fighter. Consider this: Between 2007 and 2013, the gifted, clever boxer from the Southern California desert beat in succession (not counting one no-contest): Miguel Vazquez, Junior Witter, Edner Cherry, Kendall Holt, Lamont Peterson, Luis Abregu, Devon Alexander, Joel Casamayor, Manny Pacquiao, Ruslan Provodnikov and Juan Manuel Marquez. That run alone makes Bradley Hall of Fame worthy. OK, most people thought he got a gift in his first meeting with Pacquiao. And he lost both the second and third installments of their trilogy. However, everyone agrees he was competitive with the Filipino legend. And let’s stop and appreciate his victory over Marquez, who was coming off his one-punch stoppage of Pacquiao. Bradley outboxed one of the best to ever do it. Bottom line: Bradley was sometimes overshadowed by bigger stars but his record compares favorably with most of those he’ll join in Canastota.
CARL FROCH
Years active: 2002-14
Record: 33-2 (24 KOs)
The first thing I think of when Froch’s name comes up is his mic-drop retirement, a one-punch knockout of rival George Groves in front of 80,000 screaming fans at Wembley Stadium in London that ended his decorated career. No one went out on a higher note. Of course, Froch should be remembered for more than one spectacular moment. The Nottingham fighter wasn’t great at any particular aspect of boxing but did everything well. That, combined with a nasty streak and unwavering confidence, produced a remarkable career. Among his victims: Robin Reid, Jean Pascal, Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Arthur Abraham, Glen Johnson, Lucian Bute, Yusaf Mack, Mikkel Kessler and Groves (twice). His only losses came against Kessler in their first fight and all-time great Andre Ward in the final of the Super Six World Boxing Classic, a 168-pound tournament. Few fighters of today even approach the quality of Froch’s deep resume. He richly deserves the honor of being inducted into the Hall.
RAFAEL MARQUEZ
Years active: 1995-2013
Record: 41-9 (37 KOs)
Marquez’s induction arguably is overdue. The brother of Juan Manuel Marquez didn’t have the skill set of his more famous sibling – few did – but he was a good boxer who punched harder than big bro. The younger Marquez burst upon the scene with back-to-back victories over Hall of Famer Mark Johnson, first a split decision and then an eighth-round knockout the following year. The two-division champion went on to beat Tim Austin, Mauricio Pastrana (twice) and Silence Mabuza (twice) before entering one of the most-compelling – and brutal – series of fights in boxing history, his rivalry with Israel Vazquez. Marquez would ultimately split the four fights with Vazquez but solidified his reputation as one of the best and most-exciting fighters of his era. He was never the same after the last fight with Vazquez, going 2-4 in his last six fights. However, the decline is easily forgotten. When he was at his best, Marquez was special. And we have to ask: Is there a better brother combination in the history of the sport?
MODERN CATEGORY (WOMEN)
ALICIA ASHLEY
Years active: 1991-2018
Record: 24-12-1 (4 KOs)
The most remarkable thing about Ashley is that she became the oldest boxer to win a world title when she claimed a vacant belt at 48 years old in 2015. There was more to the women’s boxing pioneer than that, however. She didn’t turn professional until she was 31 but still won major belts in three divisions. She finally retired in 2018, when she was 50 years old.
LAURA SERRANO
Years active: 1994-2012
Record: 17-5-3 (6 KOs)
The native of Mexico took on a big challenge in her pro debut, fighting Hall of Famer Christy Martin and emerging with a disputed draw. Many observers believe Serrano was cheated out of what would’ve been a defining victory. However, she persevered. The natural boxer went on to become one of the most accomplished female fighters from her adopted base of Las Vegas.
OLD-TIMER CATEGORY
TIGER JACK FOX
Years active: 1928-50
Record: 138-24-12 (91 KOs)
Fox is one of those old-timers who probably would’ve won multiple championships today. The one-time light heavyweight champion from Spokane, Washington, was a good boxer with murderous power, which accounts for his 91 knockouts. He claimed victories over some of the biggest names in history, including Hall of Famers Maxie Rosenbloom and future heavyweight champ Jersey Joe Walcott (twice).
PONE KINGPETCH
Years active: 1954-66
Record: 28-7 (9 KOs)
The Thai star made the most out of relatively few fights. In fact, he became an icon in his native country in only two bouts, back-to-back victories over all-time great Pascual Perez in 1960. He took Perez’s flyweight title by a split decision and then stopped the great Argentine in eight rounds in the rematch. He went on to have two more reigns as 112-pound champion.
JOANN HAGEN
Years active: 1954, ’56
Record: 1-1
Hagen isn’t being inducted because of what she did in the ring, although the fact she defeated women’s boxing legend Barbara Buttrick is noteworthy. The South Bend, Indiana, fighter earned the honor by paving the way for other women. She evidently piqued the interest of television executives because she appeared on multiple talk shows, which raised the profile of women’s boxing.
ALSO BEING INDUCTED
Joe Goossen, trainer; Brad Goodman, matchmaker; Brad Jacobs, non-participant; Seth Abraham, television executive; Tim Ryan, broadcaster.
