UPDATE: Manny Pacquiao wins over Timothy Bradley in their fight last April 13, 2014
Following his first controversial win over the people's favorite Manny Pacquiao, Timothy Bradley shared that he suffered from depression and even became suicidal. Bradley won in a split decision in June 2012 after challenging Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight title, according to The Ring.
Bradley shared that he pondered about committing suicide due to huge criticisms he received after Pacquiao allegedly had the title "stolen" by corrupt and ignorant Las Vegas judges. He said, "Me and my wife, we would sit there, man, in the bed and read all of this stuff. We would get phone calls. Once the death threat rolled in I was like, 'This is ridiculous.'"
The boxer continued to share his grueling post-championship experience, saying he received several anonymous letters from Pacquiao fans berating him and stating that he is not a real champion and did not deserve the welterweight belt.
In a report by Rappler, Timothy's father, Ray Bradley, said that an anonymous caller told him that he would leave a package at his doorstep. Other members of his family also got threats and criticisms, such as his sister. He was scared how they could have acquired his cellular phone number and address.
Joel Diaz, Timothy's trainer acknowledged that the fighter became depressed and gained a lot of weight after a foot injury. He stated that the whole team suffered from the controversial split decision and conceded that things would have been better for them if they lost the fight.
Diaz said, "A defeat is better than a controversy because it hurts more when you're with your family, your wife and you run into a bunch of people who are Manny Pacquiao fans and all you hear is insults, negative approaches and that is bad."
According to a USA Today report, the death threats and insults continued, directed at him, his wife and even his children. Although he remains doubtful that anybody would truly attempt to hurt him or his family, he is still worried that there are extreme fans who just might do the unexpected.