Bowe vs Frazier

I think it kind of was, although obviously the fear/risk of fighting Lewis was a part of it.

Bowe/Rock Newman negotiated a deal with HBO that made Bowe big money with a lot of freedom on whom to fight. Roy Jones later negotiated a similar deal with HBO, and HBO would complain about the mismatches he had.

Bowe's first two defenses were against Michael Dokes & Jesse Ferguson, and Holyfield was believed to be an easy fight after the win in the first fight and his performance against Alex Stewart. Bowe got $7 million each for the Dokes & Ferguson fights, total mismatches.

It was a 6 fight deal. I think they were going to try to milk it for the first 5 fights, or until people were fed up and they were more or less forced to fight Lewis.

 

I doubt Lewis would have beat Bowe in 92, he was too crude/unrefined at that point.

 

Lol Lewis' shots were more refined than Bowe's were at that point

Lewis' problem was that he was too aggressive. That wouldn't be a problem vs Bowe who couldn't straighten his right hand if his life depended on it, and he was very easy to hit

 

A prepared and focused Lewis beats any version of Bowe.

As far as the title match-up, I lean towards Frazier to win a close decision with Bowe getting flustered and stung by Frazier's activity and trip wire hook. Not writing off the possibility that Bowe catches him and finishes him. But I'm not leaning that way.

 

True, Bowe is not as strong, but he's more skilled.

 

Nice argument

 

Bowe had a habit of throwing his face into incoming punches which leads me to favour Frazier.

 

1991 Bowe would have knocked the **** out of Lewis at that time. Any version of Bowe after that (1992 on) would have gotten stopped by Lewis, HARD.

 

As much as I hated to do it, I picked Riddick Bowe. Two great inside fighters only one is much bigger and with a superior chin. Seems like the outcome is inevitable

 

I love both but I think Lewis truly emerged when Manny Steward took over his corner. I do think a prime Bowe would have been a tough fight for Lewis and truly a fight that could go either way before Steward was his chief 2nd.

With both at their best I would favor Lewis but prime Bowe was incredibly good.