That may be true but that’s the path he’d have to take to satisfy the question of the thread.. and he did face Golata, Hide, Gonzalez, cooper and Holyfield who weren’t exactly feather fisted
Too limited skill-wise? You can't be serious. Yeah of course Riddick Bowe was incredibly powerful but he was unbelievably skilled.
I just watched Evander fight him the first time. And it honestly felt like Bowe was born in the wrong body. He was an inside fighter....at 6'5
He was historically talented at inside-fighting but that was about it, he had defensive gaps, ponderous feet, the same predictable jab-jab-overhand right combo at range and was very negligent with the use of his jab.
Simple answer? Yes. The best Bowe was an absolute headache. Just enough technique to beat boxers, and way to much crazy to beat brawlers. I always think a fighter that clearly relishes his job is a bloody dangerous man, and an in shape, mentally sound Bowe still had that flip switch that makes him a proper handful...
A definite similarity between Riddick Bowe and Buster Douglas--both had great natural ability and physical tools but neither had the drive and discipline to reach their full potential--which is a shame!
If he fought and defeated Lewis and 95/96 Tyson I'd certainly have no issues putting him in the top 10. I dont necessarily think he'd beat those guys, but it's a very real possibility.
Tommy Morrison supposedly dropped him in sparring and an undersized cherry pick (Herbie Hide) supposedly had him out on his feet. I never thought of Bowe as 'chinny' but he seems to have avoided big punchers mostly.
Morrison claims he hurt Bowe with body shots in sparring but I’ve never heard a confirmation. Hide definitely rocked Bowe, Bowe admitted that himself.
I've said it once and I'll say it again I think Bowe is overrated. Yes he had a memorable trilogy vs Holyfield and yes for a big man his inside fighting was unique. But he also had considerable flaws... His defence wasn't great. He looped his right hand often and never threw it straight which is what Foreman would often bring up in commentary. He could be nullified by a good jab or a by a boxer who used lateral movement. Was Bowe good ? Absolutely but I think the Holyfield fights flatter him a bit. Whilst Holyfield was a great Heavyweight he was a much smaller Heavyweight and he fought Bowe's fight by trading punches with a much bigger man which suited Bowe. Bowe also didn't fight any of the notable punchers of his era and he also didn't prove he could deal with an upper echelon Super Heavyweight. Infact the only good Super Heavyweight Bowe fought was Golota who beat him to a pulp twice. And whilst Bowe was faded by that point those fights do show the flaws that Bowe always had IMO. So no I don't think Bowe would ever become a top 10 Heavyweight of all time.
This. If Bowe was that limited skill-wise he would’ve definitely had more than one loss on his record considering the guys he faced. Holyfield wouldn’t struggle through three tough fights if Bowe had limited skills. Bowe can be called lazy and undisciplined, but he wasn’t lacking skill-wise.
And just how many heavyweights are washed up in their 20's? Especially if claiming he's a great fighter. His career is closer to John Tate than anyone else.....really looked good for awhile and then washed up quick.