Why are people so certain Lewis would have beaten Bowe?

[Sleepwalker]

In 1993, it was Bowe who was much more polished and more effectively utilized his physical gifts than the underdeveloped Lewis.

Lewis was riding high off that KO of Ruddock, but still had some glaring holes. Sure, he eventually became a dominating and more complete force in the HW division but that wasn't until the mid to latter part of that decade. Also, keep in mind that this was Pre-Manny Steward Lewis and prior to them teaming up Lennox somewhat sloppy, and unbalanced. His jab wasn't as crisp and kept his hands low leaving himself exposed way too often. The Riddick Bowe of 1993 (with Eddie Futch) would have exploited all of this.

People who look at this potential fight in retrospect are quick to assume that Bowe was avoiding him and the Lewis would have beaten him should look more closely Lewis' flaws.

[p4pking]

For sure it would have been a great and hard fight to call if it happened then, and if there were ever a time Bowe would have beaten Lewis that was about it it. Yet, if someone clearly ducks a fighter, and then goes on to do little while the other guy becomes a dominant champion over the next decade and beats everyone, they generally aren't going to get the benefit of the doubt are they? There was also the fact Lewis beat Bowe in the amateurs, he was a bigger man and bigger puncher than anyone Bowe ever fought.

[Mark TKO]

For sure it would have been a great and hard fight to call if it happened then, and if there were ever a time Bowe would have beaten Lewis that was about it it. Yet, if someone clearly ducks a fighter, and then goes on to do little while the other guy becomes a dominant champion over the next decade and beats everyone, they generally aren't going to get the benefit of the doubt are they? There was also the fact Lewis beat Bowe in the amateurs, he was a bigger man and bigger puncher than anyone Bowe ever fought.

because I believe Lewis would've stopped Bowe within 6 rounds. Simple

[SlimTrae]

Working hard to get a belt that he throws in the garbage can is clearly a sign of cowardice.

Holy took on Bowe because he was ranked #1. Yet when Lewis is ranked #1...Bowe ain't down with that.

Followed by Tyson paying Lewis step aside money ...by the millions.

[Spicoli]

When you boil it down, I think Bowe essentially rose up and came in at best possible form for what amounts to a single 'super' fight. Lewis had also come in aloof and himself lost but came back and righted it by the time Bowe was a shell and totally done in the ring. Bowe choose to avoid an opportunity at greatness and fighting the best and instead drew up house plans with refrigerators in the bedroom and did bad Ali impersonations on respectable humanitarian tours. Their mindsets and professional approach went in two totally different direction after first massive win, that says something. The first and most important person who was certain Lewis would beat him was Bowe himself if you ask me.

[johnsebastianmiran]

Style wise I would say that Bowe put himself at risk because he sacrificed reach and safety by boxing inside which he did well but no matter what stage he was in Lennox had better angles and was well balanced when it counted. He moved better and he had a psychological edge of a win over Bowe going in even though it was at the Olympics years earlier. Bowe as well as Lennox had lapses of concentration during fights of a high stature. In that scenario it is whoever yawns first that gets hit. At the time concerned I feel that the advantage in corners was with Eddie Futch but Bowe used to exasperate him with the weight gains but Bowe was a good Boxer.

[johnsebastianmiran]

I forgot to mention something as I was distracted at the reply to the thread. Each time Lewis was KO'd he was looking in another direction as though he was elsewhere. After Rahman he never did it again.

[Master]

Bowe knew Lewis had his number, even if Lewis was in bad form when he was with pepe correra he would have found a way to beat Bowe.

It would have been a good fight but their peaks never were at the same time.

[SlimTrae]

A shame we were denied. Great point that Bowe's inside style may have played against him.

But Lennox pre Steward. .the one that fight Bruno....would've had a helluva time beating a prime Bowe.

[IamInuit]

A shame we were denied. Great point that Bowe's inside style may have played against him.

But Lennox pre Steward. .the one that fight Bruno....would've had a helluva time beating a prime Bowe.

Bowe reminded me somewhat of Jimmy Young. He looked unstoppable at times and showed some technical wizardry but couldn’t maintain. Jimmy would embarrass Foreman, beat Lyle and imo beat Ali and then lose to Oscario twice.

I know I sound like a broken record but Bowe is another great example of a guy who had the skills to pay the bills but lacked something upstairs. I believe he was easily discouraged even though some of his fights would suggest otherwise. It’s a fine line imo and with Lewis I think Lennox had him beat upstairs and it would have manifested had they ever fought.

[jon09]

The off balance, pawing jab of Lewis could have cost him against Bowe had Futch been in Big Daddy's corner. A healthy motivated Bowe would have been a lot to handle for anybody.

[brocktonblockbust]

.the one that fight Bruno....would've had a helluva time beating a prime Bowe.

Prime Bowe was a Murder Machine.

[Spicoli]

.the one that fight Bruno....would've had a helluva time beating a prime Bowe.

Prime Bowe was a Murder Machine.

If prime Bowe would have had a longer life than a tuna fish sammich on the shelf he would be TBE.

[brocktonblockbust]

.the one that fight Bruno....would've had a helluva time beating a prime Bowe.

Prime Bowe was a Murder Machine.

If prime Bowe would have had a longer life than a tuna fish sammich on the shelf he would be TBE.

Yeah. He needed some "career-defining" fights on par with his trilogy with Mr. Fields. Had he beaten Go lota and Lewis, that may have been enough to get TBE.

[Mr140]

Well if McCall and Rahman could knock him out Bowe could but he was not iron chinned himself. That being said it was not Lewis who ran from the fight so i going with Lewis. Bowe wanted no part of the man maybe he was not very sure of his chances with Lewis so he throw the title away.