Riddick Bowe vs Lennox Lewis 1993

Riddick Bowe wins. Forget about the whole putting the belts in the trash can stunt or what happened later in their careers, Bowe was much more refined at the time.

Lennox was getting outboxed vs Frank Bruno and eventually was able to over power him. He got knocked out by Oliver McCall from an overhand right. A punch Bowe threw well.

Lennox in 1993 wasn't the refined fighter he became years later under Emanuel Stewards tutelage.

Bowe late KO

 

I got Bowe

 

Bowe prime for prime, let alone the mess that was 1993 Lewis. The only thing Lewis pre 1995 can hang his hat on was that out of character Ruddock stoppage. He was a complete mess against Biggs, Bruno, McCall etc. Bowe the better fighter stops Lewis’ shaky chin.

 

If it was 1992 (peak Bowe) I would favor Bowe, and this is 50:50.
Bowe who lost to Holyfield is not the favorite against Lennox Lewis for me.

 

In a strange sort of way it was probably better for Lewis's legacy that Bowe did swerve Lewis in 1992, as Lewis was without Emmanuel Steward at this point, and he wasn't ready for Bowe at this stage in his career and would've probably lost his biggest fight.

So all in all Bowe swerving Lewis made Bowe look bad and Lewis look good, so legacy wise it's a good thing for Lewis even though realistically at that stage in Lewis's career he loses to Bowe.

 

Yes I tend to think Lewis played his cards very well in his career.

It annoys me when his fans propagate the idea that he was some horribly ducked uncrowned champion who was dominating the division in the 90s.It’s nonsense.

Put that green Lewis in against Holyfield/Bowe/Tyson in the early 90s he’s losing all 3. I have reservations about Lewis competing with those 3 prime for prime let alone when he was a complete technical mess against Biggs Bruno Butler McCall etc