If Riddick Bowe had the dedication of Marciano? Would he be one of the best?

This question essentialy boils down to a technical analysis.

Was bowe undone purely by lack of dedication, or were there underlying technical issues as well?

 

As several already have said - his defense surely could be better. Footwork, headmovement, use of shoulders and gloves... In all those areas he lacked something and that's always dangerous when you love to mix it up and is durably as hell.

 

Bowe was very good but his style and mindset were not going to beat guys like a prime Tyson or Lennox Lewis. Bowe would have fit perfectly in the 1980s with the out of shape lazy guys who were motivated for a few fights but not consistent. His size might have beaten Tyson, but he was not as great a Mike.

 

I'd say that his fundamental stylistic flaws and too much of a warrior's mentality were his main undoing. His poor discipline didn't help matters, but it wouldn't have drastically changed the amount of punches he took, or the ultimate effect they had on him.

 

Prime Riddick Bowe was beaten by Olympics Lennox Lewis.

He was shot after that. He would have been top 10 ATG HW if he ducked Lewis in the Olympics.

 

True. People don't know but Olympics Bowe was like a giant mutant Willie Pep. That knockout robbed him of his reflexes.

 

From what Ive seen, Duran was a pretty damn slick guy, and in his blowouts, he didnt absorb much in return from big hitters(Which most heavy's are).

But, yes, I suppose inborn constitution probably exists, makes sense. I also think he might be a bit crazy. Seriously.

 

Magna whats your take on Bowe vs Lewis and Tyson in
96? Did Bowe have enough left in the tank to have a
dedicated training camp, and decision or KO either
Lewis or Tyson? These fights should have happened
and everyone could have used the payday.

 

In '96 his life was coming apart, and he was acting more and more erratic. I dont know that he could have been together a smart camp. I don't think Tyson had much left, so that the guy he should have aimed for, but without being at a healthy weight with his head on straight, he'd have been overwhelmed by the firepower.

Lewis would have wrecked him. Too good a fighter, too intense, too powerful...Bowe would have needed to be at his absolute best, peaked, to handle a peaking Lewis.