Wladimir Klitscko V Riddick Bowe, Make A case For Your Winner.?

I consider the Holyfield I version of Bowe to be his absolute prime. This version of Bowe would have wrecked pre Manny Steward Wlad and at least decisioned the later grab and hold version (assuming fair judging). Prime Bowe was very short lived, but he was an absolute beast and he had it all. Bowe had his issues and personal demons, but in the ring he had great inner strength and resolve which I believe would likely be the deciding factor against Wlad.

 

I'll take Wlad on the basis of his extraordinary jab, footwork and power.

Bowe went absolutely to pieces when Golota got his jab going and Wlad's is twice as good. Bowe's chin was iffy, which is why Golota dropped him so many times, and which is why Bowe tried to avoid punchers during his career. Bowe had power of his own but the problem is that his best work was either done on the inside (which Wlad made a practise of avoiding) or with his sweeping overhands (which Wlad likewise was good at avoiding during his career.) Fact is Wlad is much further ahead technically than Bowe, and I fancy his straighter punches over Bowe's looping ones.

 

If Bowe is in shape and motivated I think it’s a easy win for him. Wlad just didn’t have the skills to compete with him. Not to mention that glass jaw

 

OK so these versions are a bit off, but it's worth taking a look. We have a good Bowe against a better Martin, and a green Wlad against a worse Martin.

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My main take away is how cautious Wlad is even in his early version. Martin lands almost nothing but Wlad is content to technically take him apart even though he promised a knockout. Bowe on the other hand has some great infighting and power on exhibition against a game Martin ... but on the downside he is so, so hittable. The fact that Bowe is so easy to land on in my opinion spells doom against a technical power puncher like Wlad.

 

Klitschko is too soft and lacks the mental fortitude hold it together when attacked by a fearsome aggressor like Bowe. . . You can easily envision a panic stricken Wlad having a nervous breakdown as Bowe walks him down

 

I can easily envision Wlad landing one of his monster left hooks off the jab on Bowe as Bowe tries to walk him down. For some reason that's easier to envision since Wlad has never had a panic attack and Bowe is a sucker for a left to the jaw

 

Where Wlad is soft and has no inside game. . The victor here is pretty obvious.
Inside game vs no inside game
Chin vs no chin

 

Bowe never met anyone who hit as hard as Wladimir, and also struggled against boxers who fought him on the outside and against a good jab, Bowe said himself he couldn't deal with Golota's jab and it threw him off, and there's Bowe also struggling against a washed up Tubbs, Biggs, who fought him on the ouside also.

On the other hand Klitschko has suspect stamina and a suspect chin, I could see Wladimir jabbing Bowe's head off honestly and picking him apart on the outside, but i do think eventually Bowe would catch Wladimir with that overhand right, and then it would be curtains for Wladimir.

 

Sometime in the middle rounds with Wlad controlling distance and winning the fight Bowe clips him with a hard shot and Wlad pays a visit to an old friend, the canvas. It's waved off after a second visit.....