By Radio Rahim
This past Saturday night, former two division world champion Timothy Bradley (33-2-1, 13 KOs) announced his retirement from the sport of boxing.
Bradley last fought in April of 2016, when he was dropped twice and lost a twelve round unanimous decision in his trilogy bout with Manny Pacquiao.
The tough boxer began his career in 2004 and captured world titles at junior welterweight and welterweight.
During his long career, Bradley fought a who's who of top fighters - including three bouts with Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, Brandon Rios, Devon Alexander, Nate Campbell, Kendall Holt, Lamont Peterson, Ruslan Providnikov, Junior Witter, Miguel Vazquez, Jessie Vargas, Diego Chaves, and several others.
But the one fighter that Bradley regrets to have never faced in the ring is five division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (49-0, 26 KOs).
"Money, Money May. That's the one guy that I haven't faced. That's the one guy that I haven't faced in boxing. I faced all of the rest of them through my time and my rise," Bradley said to BoxingScene.com.
Mayweather mentioned Bradley as a potential opponent on more than one occasion, but the contest never came together because Floyd refused to do any business with Bradley's promoter, Top Rank, who signed the fighter in 2011
Mayweather himself retired from boxing in September 2015. At 40 years old, he's coming back for a final ring appearance on August 26th when he faces UFC star Conor McGregor.
Bradley, at only 33 years old, felt the time was right to walk away from the sport. Bradley admits that he could have continued his career and there were some big opportunities presented to him - but he strongly felt that his health was more important than securing a few more paydays.
"You know, at the end of the day, I retired from boxing - boxing didn't retire me. I'm happy with my decision. I know fans are a little upset and may want to see me one more time. But I'm going to retire from boxing and boxing is not going to retire me. I love my kids and that's why I'm retiring. There are a lot of fights out there, still on the table. I left a lot of money on the table... tons of money on the table. Money don't buy you health and longevity," Bradley said.