Lennox Lewis - Riddick Bowe?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Oct 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM.


Overall better fighter?

  1. Bowe

    7 vote(s)
    24.1%

  2. Lewis

    22 vote(s)
    75.9%
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  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    One of the big fights not to happen in the 90s.
    If not THE biggest fight.
    Not so much who'd have won but whom was the better fighter overall between the two?
    Taking in to account things such as technical skills

    Defence
    Power
    Heart
     
    Fergy, Oct 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM
    Fergy, Oct 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM
    #1
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  2. DJN16

    DJN16 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    All in all...Lewis.
     
    DJN16, Oct 6, 2025 at 1:01 PM
    DJN16, Oct 6, 2025 at 1:01 PM
    #2
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  3. Jakub79

    Jakub79 Active Member Full Member

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    Perhaps Lewis wouldn't have suited Riddick stylistically. Perhaps the cautious outfighter Lennox could have outworked Bowe and landed him a powerful punch after a few rounds, but... in Seoul, there was no apparent stylistic advantage! Besides, Riddick was just as big, just as strong, and significantly tougher than Bruno. He had more endurance than Briggs, and was generally much better than McCall and Rahman. Only Vitali from 2003 could be compared to Bowe's class, but Vitali was a very good match for Lennox stylistically; he was a stylistically ideal opponent for Lewis, while Bowe probably wasn't. Looking at his resume, it's clear Lewis fought longer and managed his career much better, but prime for prime? Everything points to Bowe.
     
    Jakub79, Oct 7, 2025 at 3:29 AM
    Jakub79, Oct 7, 2025 at 3:29 AM
    #3
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  4. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    This is gonna get hotter than Stacy Haiduk in The Beneficiary.
     
    Boxed Ears, Oct 7, 2025 at 3:43 AM
    Boxed Ears, Oct 7, 2025 at 3:43 AM
    #4
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  5. Bulldog24

    Bulldog24 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Bowe was more complete with his inside combos etc but Lennie gets him on longevity etc

    Bowe was simply better
     
    Bulldog24, Oct 7, 2025 at 3:47 AM
    Bulldog24, Oct 7, 2025 at 3:47 AM
    #5
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  6. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Technical skills = Lewis had the better technical skills overall but Bowe was a better inside fighter.

    Defence = Lewis had a better defence Bowe was very hittable.

    Power = I think Lewis had slightly better explosive punching power.

    Heart = Bowe took beatings vs Golota and showed a tremendous heart in those fights aswell as the Holyfield fights. Lewis also showed his mettle to win in tough fights vs Mercer, Bruno, Vitali. I would say there's not alot to choose between them in this category.
     
    Dynamicpuncher, Oct 7, 2025 at 5:13 AM
    Dynamicpuncher, Oct 7, 2025 at 5:13 AM
    #6
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  7. dinovelvet

    dinovelvet Antifanboi Full Member

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    Bowe beats the Canadian into syrup
     
    dinovelvet, Oct 7, 2025 at 5:22 AM
    dinovelvet, Oct 7, 2025 at 5:22 AM
    #7
  8. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I'm glad Lewis had the Merc fight and the Klitschko.
    Showed that he did have heart in a fight when the going got tough.
     
    Fergy, Oct 7, 2025 at 5:23 AM
    Fergy, Oct 7, 2025 at 5:23 AM
    #8
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  9. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Lewis was a better boxer overall, has WAAAAY better resume and beat Bowe in the Olympics. Lennox by landslide.

    Bowe could have beaten him in 1992 tho, but decided to duck.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Oct 7, 2025 at 6:12 AM
    MaccaveliMacc, Oct 7, 2025 at 6:12 AM
    #9
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  10. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Yes he definitely ducked Lewis, no matter what some may say.
    I was around at the time and can plainly remember him chucking the WBC strap in to the bin lol
    Bowe saying bla bla bla, meaning I don't want my ass kicking again :confused:
     
    Fergy, Oct 7, 2025 at 6:46 AM
    Fergy, Oct 7, 2025 at 6:46 AM
    #10
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  11. SouthpawsRule

    SouthpawsRule Active Member Full Member

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    Technique: Bowe
    Overall Skills: Lewis
    Defense: Lewis
    Power: Lewis
    Heart: Lewis

    Lewis is probably the reason why Bowe never fought a quality puncher in his pro career.
     
    SouthpawsRule, Oct 7, 2025 at 7:16 AM
    SouthpawsRule, Oct 7, 2025 at 7:16 AM
    #11
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  12. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold Hype Jobs will be hype jobs until proven so. Full Member

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    On a technical sense - Riddick Bowe was better, even Manny Steward said this.

    Lennox had more power.

    Riddick Bowe had far better chin and heart.
     
    Ice8Cold, Oct 7, 2025 at 10:17 AM
    Ice8Cold, Oct 7, 2025 at 10:17 AM
    #12
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  13. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    It's Lewis. Strong enough to handle Bowe on the inside, more versatile, more power, and beat more top guys
     
    MarkusFlorez99, Oct 7, 2025 at 1:15 PM
    MarkusFlorez99, Oct 7, 2025 at 1:15 PM
    #13
    Fergy likes this.
  14. slash

    slash Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Lewis got stopped by McCall and Rahman. Styles make fights, but Bowe was better than both of them.
     
    slash, Oct 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
    slash, Oct 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
    #14
  15. Jackstraw

    Jackstraw Mercy for me, justice for thee! Full Member

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    Agreed. There’s really no other way to interpret what happened.
     
    Jackstraw, Oct 7, 2025 at 7:34 PM
    Jackstraw, Oct 7, 2025 at 7:34 PM
    #15
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