Riddick Bowe Versus: 1998-2004 Heavies

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

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

[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.

[BIG H]

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.

[El Kabong]

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.

I just think Bowe was too technically flawed to beat those guys, he'd willingly give up height and reach. Sure Bowe was good on the inside, but those guys know how to neutralize that by tying up and pushing off. Bowe's defense was nonexistent and I think his chin was overrated...Golota stung him a few times and not below the belt either!

[X]

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.

[jon09]

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.

[El Kabong]

So its if Bowe had continued his career on and not a "Prime" Bowe...

Tier 1 opponents:
Lennox Lewis - Lewis by KO, no doubt about it
Vitali Klitschko - Same as above, Bowe NEVER fought a power puncher like that
Wladimir Klitschko - Wlad by UD/late stoppage. If Golota schooled Bowe then Wlad would really put the hurt on him.
Chris Byrd - 50/50 fight, Byrd was slick but had no power
James Toney - Toney by UD too slick and very good counter puncher
John Ruiz - I think Ruiz takes it, he's very difficult to beat especially for an older Bowe

Tier 2 opponents:
Mike Tyson - Tyson would have a great shot early, but if it went past 6 Tyson would get stopped. 50/50 fight.
Lamon Brewster - Brewster by UD in a war!
David Tua - Tua by late TKO behind on all cards
Hasim Rahman - Bowe by decision
Jameel McCline - McCline by UD, let's face it he had a good streak where he won some big fights.
Sam Peter - 50/50 fight, Peter was a big puncher and could take a punch too
Michael Grant - Bowe by KO, he may have been old but Riddick still had a killer instinct.

Tier 3 opponents:
Oliver McCall - Bowe UD, McCall always fell short in big fights.
Fres Oquendo - Oquendo by SD or Bowe by stoppage
Kirk Johnson - Bowe by stoppage

The closer I look at Bowe's career the less impressed I am. Bowe was impressive vs pretty lackluster competition and the Holyfield fights were amazing, but he got old quick and after Holyfield never really fought dangerous competition.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

DAMN! Oliver McCall just got knocked out ya'll!



No seriously, nice list. The purpose of the thread was to get an idea from people about how they felt Bowe would do if he hadn't quit boxing in 96 and carried on into the early noughties which of course would never be anything like his prime but it's interesting to see peoples opinion on the earlier Bowe all the same.

I missed Corrie Sanders off the list

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

I also think Bowe would give James Toney a lot of problems because of his inside game, size, reach & natural strength.

Oddly enough though, I reckon McCline absolutely destroys him...

[Master]

No body, never mind Bowe, knocks out Oliver McCall.

[BIG H]

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.

[El Kabong]

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.

Yeah! Lewis got in some free shots and the 'Atomic Bull' didn't even buckle!