In a historical context how strong is Bowe's resume compared to other HW champs? Only de facto champs not paper title holders.
He was a better fighter than his resume shows. But, his resume was somewhat disappointing. That being said, it is light years better than any of the paper champs of the last 10 plus years.
By all standards, R. Bowe's resume is very good. He was never stopped and was only beaten by an ATG who he beat twice. Ad to that a fairly decent list of respectable veterans, prospects, fringe contenders and some of the usual suspects, and I think it's pretty solid.. I voted above average. I think his credentials eclipse those of Schmeling's, Walcott's, Charles, M. Spinks, L. Spinks, Patterson and Johanson. He falls short of the super greats like like Ali, Louis, Holmes, Lewis, Marciano, Foreman, etc..
This totally glosses over the two Golota fights. Yes, he technically didn't lose but all intents and purposes he did so. That said, two wins over Holyfield are very impressive. The Tubbs win during his development is a good name win.
Out of the lineal champions, the following have a better resume than Bowe: Louis, Marciano, Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Holmes, Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko.
I don't share your opinion on the quality of heavyweights during the Klitschko reign. Frazier has the best win among them (by far) but Wlads scalps occupy the next 3 spots at least, and he has Frazier outgunned in terms of quantity and dominance.
But you cant ignore that he had a much better single win,plus he did clean the available oposition,no way wlad had better resume than frazier