Bradley took on some of the best fighters of his era. “Desert Storm” captured the WBC super lightweight championship in 2008 when he edged Junior Witter via split decision. The Palm Springs native added the WBO version a year later when he out-pointed Kendall Holt and defended the crown with wins over Devon Alexander and Joel Casamayor.
Bradley moved up to welterweight in ’12 and won the WBO title at that weight win a highly controversial decision win over Manny Pacquiao and defended it twice; once with a decision win over Ruslan Provodnikov in what was the fight of the year in ’13 and against Juan Manuel Marquez.
Bradley eventually lost his title to Pacquiao in their rematch, nabbed a win over Jessie Vargas and then Brandon Rios to recapture that same belt. The last time “Desert Storm” fought was April 4, 2016, where he lost on points to Pacquiao in their rubber match.
Bradley finishes his pro boxing career with an overall record of 33-2-1 with 13 KOs and will most likely be inducted into the International Boxing hall of Fame easily.
Bradley issued this statement to the media on Saturday night:
“There always comes a point in life where we have to make choices that no matter how much we know the right option, it still leaves us filled with mixed emotions.
I have spent the past couple days trying to find the right words to describe this point in my life and no matter how long I sit and reflect, I still don’t know if these words can do my thoughts justice, but I’m going to do my best to open up my heart and share with all of you during this pivotal time.
It is no secret that a life of any professional athlete is not an easy one- yes it comes with a lot of fame and fortune but also comes with fear and fatigue. A balance that has to be achieved by ambition and maintained through perspective. For over 23 years, Boxing gave me purpose and it defined me. Dedicated to my craft and fueled by my passion for the sport, my love for my team and my admiration for all of you who supported me day in and day out– I was able to give 100% of myself to be the best and to always get up when I was knocked down. It was the biggest challenge in my life but I embraced the sacrifice with every victory and milestone reached. Boxing gave me roots, it kept me off the streets, it gave me confidence, it taught me how to be a man and face every challenge head on and take the good with the bad.
Yes I missed holidays, birthdays, even missed hearing some of my children’s first words but more than time, it took my blood, sweat and tears, all things I can never get back. Which is why turning the page for me is bittersweet. That once in a lifetime purpose to wake up every day and give 100% is now fueled towards something else- my family. I find my strength in them, my peace and most importantly, unconditional love. I wake up wanting to spend all my time being a father, being a husband and being free.
Although that square circle I lived to dance in every day gave me so many smiles and blessings, it could never outweigh the smiles and blessings I receive from my wife and children. It’s now my turn to support them and encourage them to live their dreams and I couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter. I hope to continue to allow boxing in my world through teaching, commentating and being a fan of a sport I love so dearly.
And to you, the diehard fans, man, it’s been one heck of a ride. The bumps, the bruises, the peaks, the valleys, the days I didn’t want to get out of bed and the nights I couldn’t sleep….So many occasions where my heart, mind and soul were tested but with every challenge there was hope and there was all of you…giving me the courage to fight another day and do what I loved to do. I can never find the words to convey how much I appreciate all of you and how truly humbled I am by the unconditional support the past 23 years, Thank you. Thank you for cheering me on when I didn’t deserve it, loving me most when I needed it and for being my heartbeat to keep going day after day. I am the man I am today because of you all.”
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