What if Bowe came around from 75 onwards? The golden generation are starting to age, Ali and Frazier have just nearly killed each other, foreman s not far off Jimmy Young and Norton s awaiting another title shot. Meanwhile a unknown called Holmes is working his way up. So if Bowe was maybe in his second year as a professional, where does he fit in? A fight with a fading Frazier, a vulnerable foreman or a title shot against Ali? How far does Bowe go in this time frame against the 70 s men?
At that time Bowe beats Ali, pummels Frazier, we all saw Foremans close call with Ron Lyle in 76 replace Lyle with Bowe and Bowe stops him. If Bowe is in his prime, he maybe beats a pre prime Holmes. Holmes would need to be at his best or very close to it to handle a prime Bowe.
I agree with you on Frazier. Bowe stops that version, Joe had nothing left really after manila. He has a shot against foreman, but he would still have to eat some massive punches and George proved he could come back in a war. Norton would be beaten within 4 rounds by a up coming Bowe. Ali I think from 75 starts to really slow down, but he still has enough to beat top ranked guys. So with that I say Bowe may be in with a shot but Ali would probably find a way to win. A young Holmes defeats Bowe imo in a battle of young heavy s. It could be a potential classic, with both men's strength s put to the test.
First off, he is not developing that fast. It took Futch what, 30 to 35 fights to get the guy ready to step up? His progress matched another mid 70's guy Eddie handled---Duane Bobick. Same thing lots of fights against C grade fighters. But not a quick developing guy like say Bowe's contemporary, Lewis. So Bowe isn't ready until 78 or 1979. Shavers/Norton/ were on the wrong side of the mountain and Lyle was worse. They aren't getting within a mile of Young back then. Tate was upcoming and Holmes was already established. There are 2 problems right there. He handles the oldsters around at the time. Or Neon Leon--but lots of guys do. And there is no way he becomes a road warrior and goes to South Africa to take on those 2 guys. The trouble with top 10 status in 79 timeframe is what's behind him from the 76 and 78 guys that turned pro---Dokes. Page. Witherspoon. Thomas. Cooney. Bruno. They all developed fast and were not the 35 fights to get ready type heavies. Shark infested waters after being in a safe type environment for a bit. But the level of competition was going to became much harder to deal with. Plus, there were only 2 titles. Bowe hardly cleaned out the division when he did box and it would have been no different back then. And he was washed up very early & facing a bunch of guys not known for being ko'd does not help his cause or durability or attrition factor.
