Although, I can understand the sentiments of the author of this thread, I also think that its an oversimplification to say that he never fought a puncher.. I think what he really meant to say was; " Bowe never fought a puncher of legendary proportions like a Foreman, Tyson, Liston, Frazier, or Shavers. " The truth however, is that Bowe actually did fight men who could crack. Bert Cooper, Bruce Seldon, Jorge Gonzalez, Herbie Hide, and even an early version of Holyfield were all men who were capable of hurting you. The thing is, none of these men had what I would call " earth shattering " power, and what's more, most of them did not posses the style nor delivery mechanisms that could really have an impact on Bowe. From that standpoint, I can certainly relate to the poster's perspective. But to say that he never met a puncher, is somewhat inacurate.
Horse****....... Bowe fought some punchers....... Bowe just never fought any GOOD punchers........ Lorge Luis Gonzalez comes to mind......... Andy Golota actually had good power in his younger days........ He walloped Bowe pretty goddamn bad 2X....... Jesse Ferguson was known for his left-hook, but Fergy froze like a rabbit against Bowe in '93....... MR.BILL:hat
When Cooper caught a fighter i think he was a "real Puncher" id put him on Par with Mercer when it came to pure punching power, although i think he was a notch below Lewis or RUddock.
Lionel Butler,Bert Cooper,Jesse Ferguson,Herbie Hide,Jorge Gonzalez and Golota could all punch hard. Pinklon thomas too although I should leave him out since he was washed up when Bowe fought him
When Bowe held the title there were two notable great punchers Ruddock and Lewis he fought neither this is an obvious blemish on his record.
Cooper had good power in both paws for a small heavy of 208 to 214 pounds when in proper shape during his peak yrs............ Cooper became a tub of goo / slob after age 32...... Cooper was in good shape and trim in 1990 when he was smoked out by Bowe in 2 rds on the undercard of "Douglas-Holy." MR.BILL
When Bowe won the title Ruddock was already on the slide so that wasnt a big fight. Ruddock was knocked out around the same time by Lewis and fought only once in the next 3 years before getting stopped again by Morrison. Bowe had a good chin theres no reason to think he ducked anyone because they were big punchers. His Chin was a helluva alot better than Lewis's thats for sure.
Here is a quote from wikipedia about Ruddock. After another KO win over Kimmuel Odum in 1990 Ruddock was now seen as the most feared and exciting heavyweight since Mike Tyson burst onto the boxing scene in 1985 with many[who?] ranking his power with that of the Heavyweight greats like George Foreman. Ruddock would hold talks with the new heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield fresh from his KO win over James 'Buster' Douglas. Holyfield refused the fight and opted to fight 42 year old George Foreman instead. Ruddock would turn his attentions to another up and coming star Riddick Bowe, and held talks with Bowe's management about a possible fight between the two but again Ruddock was unable to get the big fight he craved as Bowe would refuse the fight and opted to fight little known Philipp Brown instead.
Actually that was a smart career move if im managing a heavyweight with a possible title shot,the last guy im putting him in with is a bomber like Ruddock. Even if he does have a chin. The only way my guy would fight Ruddock would be if it was for a title shot or defending the title. If you disagree well, then id hate for you to manage a fighter i trained.
YEy it was Holyfield wasnt the biggest bomber but he could still punch a little bit and Bowe took some hellacious shots from him, Also Golota hammered the Crap out of him and he couldnt finish him. Lewis got KTfo twice. Lewis could never have taken the shots that Golota laid on Bowe.
Nope. Holyfield hit both Lewis & Bowe flush. He couldn't hurt Lewis yet Bowe ended up on his back & on ***** street. Despite facing punchers like Mason, Ruddock, Bruno, Butler, Morrison, Tua, Rahman, Tyson & Klitchsko, Lewis remains the least knocked down undisputed heavyweight champion in history, along with Marciano & maybe Jeffries. And I could say Lewis wouldn't have even gone down from the shots Golota dropped Bowe with either (bar the nut shots).
Lewis didnt go to war with Holyfield the way Bowe did. If Lewis did he would have been in a world of trouble. Lewis chose to fight from a distance or tie him up when Holyfield came in. Lewis only survived against some of those big punchers because of his ability to keep them at bay with his reach and booming right hand. Hes also one of the only supposedly heavyweight greats to get Ktfod twice in his prime. No one will ever convince me that he had a good chin.