Riddick Bowe Versus: 1998-2004 Heavies
Tier 1 opponents:
Lennox Lewis
Vitali Klitschko
Wladimir Klitschko
Chris Byrd
James Toney
John Ruiz
Tier 2 opponents:
Mike Tyson
Lamon Brewster
David Tua
Hasim Rahman
Jameel McCline
Sam Peter
Michael Grant
Tier 3 opponents:
Oliver McCall
Fres Oquendo
Kirk Johnson
Obviously I had left out Evander Holyfield & Andrew Galota as he had already fought them but if you want to add them feel free.
But anyway, it occured to be that it was quite possible that Bowe (if he was still doing his thing during say 2001) could loose to well over 50% of fighters on that list which surprised me, I just wondered if anyone else has it the same way ???
Re: Riddick Bowe Versus: 1998-2004 Heavies
Bowe had a wonderful night against Holyfield, his best. After the Holyfield defeat he went on another good run beating undefeated B level fighter like Gonzales, Hide and Buster Matthis. The rest he was shaky. Peak Bowe could beat all but Lewis and the Klits during that time.
Re: Riddick Bowe Versus: 1998-2004 Heavies
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Master
Bowe had a wonderful night against Holyfield, his best. After the Holyfield defeat he went on another good run beating undefeated B level fighter like Gonzales, Hide and Buster Matthis. The rest he was shaky. Peak Bowe could beat all but Lewis and the Klits during that time.
Agreed. He also beats Wlad imo and has a chance (on his best night) against Lewis and Vitali.
Re: Riddick Bowe Versus: 1998-2004 Heavies
Yeah, Bowe was a good fighter but he was lazy and never used all his talent. he got hit a lot of times that he shouldnt which is why the poor guy is in poor shape today.
I still think he beats Wlad, loses to Vitali (but what a war that would be) loses to Lewis and also loses to prime Tyson.
Re: Riddick Bowe Versus: 1998-2004 Heavies
Motivated and with Eddie Futch I give a chance against anyone. He beats the Lewis prior to Manny. I think he would struggle and probably lose against both Klitschkos especially Vitali. He would beat tier 2 and 3; His inside game was good enough to handle Tyson's early onslaught.
Re: Riddick Bowe Versus: 1998-2004 Heavies
Are we talking the post 98 Bowe who was hit on like a drum and near punch drunk after Golota here ??? I struggle to see him handling most of those guys, really.
Re: Riddick Bowe Versus: 1998-2004 Heavies
No poster is talking about prime Bowe, early 1990's, he was finished by 1998.
Re: Riddick Bowe Versus: 1998-2004 Heavies
I'll admit i haven't seen a lot on Bowe apart from some of the big fights mentioned here and read reports of others and the Bowe/Lewis story is well known.
It seems to me that Bowe at his best was amazing and had some great fights but lacked consistency. He didn't realise his full potential or if he did he couldn't maintain it for certain reasons. To me he probably never lived a very disciplined lifestyle and that would not have helped prolong his career at the highest level, the fact he has had fights in recent years and can't let go shows this too.
Re: Riddick Bowe Versus: 1998-2004 Heavies
Prior to Bowe becoming fat, lazy and clearly unmotivated he had the size and skill to give any HW of any era a good fight. His biggest problem was not using his size and being drug into a slugfests when he could use his height/size and jab to stay out of trouble. So for arguments sake I think we are calling Bowe's prime around the same time he beat Holy in their first fight (1990-92)
Tier 1 opponents:
Lennox Lewis - I think Bowe's size and skill would give Lennox problems but the patient Lewis that Manny made would have fought smart and avoided mixing it up. Winning either with a late stoppage or UD. Interesting that these two's prime was so far apart.
Vitali Klitschko - Bowe would have been drug into a slugfest and I am betting on Vlad being the stronger puncher and tougher of the two. Mid round KO for Vitali
Wladimir Klitschko - I think Bowe wins this with a late KO. Wlad is chinny and Bowe had the size and talent to hit him hard and often.
Chris Byrd - 1991 Bowe KO's Chris Byrd ala Ike style
James Toney - Tough call and I am not sure when Toney's HW prime is, but I think Bowe from 1991 could out work Toney and win an uneventful UD/SD
John Ruiz - I don't think Ruiz would be able to wrestle a SD away from a fit and motivated 91 Bowe. Bowe late round stoppage.
Tier 2 opponents:
Mike Tyson - I'm calling this a push. If Tyson couldn't overwhelm in the first 6 I think Bowe's size and jab would end the fight in the championship rounds. Hard to say if a 1991 Bowe had the experience to weather a bull-rushing Mike.
Lamon Brewster - Bowe by KO inside of 5 rounds
David Tua - This is either Bowe by a boring UD or Tua with a 12 round KO after losing every round
Hasim Rahman - Bowe by KO and it wouldn't be close
Jameel McCline - See Rahman
Sam Peter - Bowe by UD. Peter is too limited to beat a big talented heavy like 91' Bowe
Michael Grant - Bowe by crushing KO in round 5.
Tier 3 opponents: Bowe by KO for all of them.
Oliver McCall -
Fres Oquendo -
Kirk Johnson -
Re: Riddick Bowe Versus: 1998-2004 Heavies
No body, never mind Bowe, knocks out Oliver McCall.
Re: Riddick Bowe Versus: 1998-2004 Heavies
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Master
No body, never mind Bowe, knocks out Oliver McCall.
Only Lewis stopped him in his whole career. And that was not because he was hurt.
