He would of won a title against the likes of Ruiz, Byrd but not THE title against Lewis. Lewis was at his peak, destroying Botha and Grant and dominating Tua at the time. Lewis would have had his hands full but would have had enough to win a decision using his height and reach. But you are right about Bowe. He never became the complete fighter Futch had hoped he would. Bowe had talent but he had big flaws in his game. Prime Bowe was better than Ike though, but had Ike actually fought Bowe at the time when Bowe was well past his prime Ike would have beaten him badly, Bowe would need to be 100% to stand and trade with a strong, powerful heavy like Ike and expect to come out on top.
I don't think there is enough evidence to fully gauge how Ike would of fared against Bowe. I do believe Bowe is overrated. To me it's incomplete but if I were to speculate I believe Ike had the tools to win.
Agree, guys like Ruiz would've been just fodder for Ibeabuchi. Lennox with his skill set and physical attributes would've made for a very interesting unification fight against Ibeabuchi.
Ibeabuchi kicks his Haye's ass. Haye was, and remains by some people, so overrated in every way imaginable. Like a lot of "what if" fighters, Ibeabuchi often gets overrated too. He did show good attributes in his short career. I thought Tua beat him, but Ike showed terrific stamina, chin and workfare. I liked the way he picked his shots against Byrd, before the "drooling left hook". Bowe was more polished and proven, and would probably win. Bowe had a leaky defense from the outside, and would eat some shots from Ibeabuchi. But Bowe could take a good shot and wasn't an easy guy to put away even if you did hurt him. Despite the Byrd KO, Ibeabuchi wasn't known as a huge puncher. He had pretty good power, nothing great. Bowe had an excellent jab and right hand, and would have the edge on the outside. On the inside? Bowe has the edge there too. Bowe was a terrific in-fighter. Bowe by clear decision
Can't believe that I'm agreeing with you. Ike was a bigger version of Holyfield and would have beaten Bowe.
I rate Bowe really highly, and Ike is still an unknown.. but of what I do know.. Bowe would outbox Ike pretty easily.. of course it's HW.. and you never know.. but I'd easily place money on Bowe.