Some posters (very knowledgable ones) claim Bowe to be the foremost, or perhaps only, technician amongst superheavies. I disagree with this to some extent. I do believe he was very skilled for his size, but that he had a few, but pretty serious, flaws. These were his main technical flaws as I see it: 1. He didn't seem to have much of a pure straight right. This might be the main reason as to why he wasn't as effective at long range as you would expect of a fighter of his size and relative speed and skill. It made his one-twos much less efficient and it also meant that opponents could jab him with less fear of deadly right hand counters. 2. Footwork. While his stance and balance were very good he was very stationary. He didn't cut the ring off very well and he didn't use much defensive footwork. He seemed vulnerable against opponents with good movement. *3. He seemed to have a habit of dropping his right hand, since he was often caught by left hooks. Vulnerability to left hooks is typical for fighters who's not consistent enough with an orthodox guard, Ali being the prime example. What's your thoughts? *This I claim with less certainity, since I haven't really studied it enough. But I feel pretty ceratin that I'm on to something here.
I agree particularly with points 1 & 2. On point 2, i remember him constantly chasing Tubbs in a straight line while the fat man circled away over and over. I also think his defence, in general, was just too weak to be called a technician. His skills were excellent for sure, and the way he could put combinations together was impressive, but even journeymen had 50% connect rates with him. I think that was the other notable reason for his short career, in addition to the weight fluctuations. Lastly, i think his jab wasn't all that, for a man his size. How often did he dictate the pace or controlled fights with it? Tubbs avoided his jab all night long and Holyfield was outjabbing him whenever they exchanged jabs, as did Golota.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNHk8X7MZSs Riddick Bowe did drop his right hand, and sometimes his right hand could be looping and sloppy. However, when he was at his peak, he seemed to be able to throw the straight with better technique and accuracy. I can only attribute the decline to his lack of conditioning and getting hit to often down the stretch. His right hand in Golota 2 was embarassingly sloppy, for example. I think he was one of the more polished super heavyweights that have became champion, though. His one-two was great, not only did this make him a force on the outside, but no other 6'5 Heavyweight could work on the inside quite like Riddick Bowe. His right uppercut would brutalise opponents, and he mixed it to the body and head like every champion should. He had defensive flaws, and sometimes he couldn't keep it together. He would get hit and his immediate reaction would be to start swingings back, and this sometimes meant he took shots he could have otherwise avoided on the outside with his size and long right hand. Great fighter though. He had so much potential.
I think that footage mainly supports what I said. He knocks Cooper down with a very nice right, but it's not a pure straight right since it hits the side of the jaw. Absolutely no wrong with throwing slightly curved rights, but one should have the straight rights to mix them with.
He certainly wasnt perfect, but either was Lennox Lewis who dominated quite well and had more short comings. As far as his offensive capabilities, yes he was the complete fighter. He could fight behind a great jab and righthand from the outside, but I think he preferred the inside, where he threw short hooks and uppercuts, something pretty amazing for a man his size. As far as his footowork he was more of a shuffler than an on his toes boxer, but the combination of everything he brought into a fight was very entertaining to watch. He always went for the kill and never took an easy route in a fight. That ultimately led to his demise, but something that fight fans should appreciate.
Bowe was more of a man stuck between styles than a guy who could choose what style he wanted to employ and adapt because of his opponent. He never stayed on the outside for long durations where it sometimes would of suited him, and like people have already addressed, he lacked the defense of a great fighter. It's a testament to his heart and will that he did so well despite soaking up so much punishment.
Stuck between styles, or preferred a fighting style that probably wasnt best suited for his physical attributes? His loss our gain.
I think the footage clearly displays that although Bowe did not have a pure straight right hand, he still had one good enough to get the job done. Bowe's decline started early not because he lacked a pure straight right hand, but because he preferred a shoot out rather than using his size advantages. This meant he was being hit by the likes of Biggs and Pierre Cotezer. As an offensive fighter, Bowe was great.
Offensively, he was as near to perfect as heavyweights get. Defensively, he was very flawed and this dramatically shortened his career, along of course with his lack of dedication and grotesque slobbishness.