Can You See Bowe's Decision to Not Fight Lewis From His POV?

I don’t even think it was Bowe’s decision, I think it was Rock Newman who made the call at the end of the day. He’s openly said in interviews that he made his fighter millions for low risk defenses rather than jumping into a high risk fight with Lewis….basically he did the right thing for his fighter as a manager, which often isn’t the best thing for the fans.

 

That ridiculous stunt organised by Rock Newman ( throwing the WBC belt into the bin ) was
a terrible look for Riddick and damaged his legacy.
Bowe was no coward,as he proved in his fights with Holyfield and Golota.Unfortunately he
allowed Newman to ruin any chance of him meeting Lewis in 1993.Ironically during that window
of 1993/94 Bowe would have to be a heavy favourite over the pre- Emanuel Steward LennoxLewis.
A huge opportunity for Riddick Bowe was missed by Newman's mismanagement.

 

I have said that Bowe not fighting Lewis was a coward move and a huge missed opportunity that Bowe did not grab, but it's a business. A lot of fans forget that. At the time, Bowe was having his three fight series with Holyfield, and I'm sure those fights, (at that time) were going to bring him the most money. Plus if HBO offers you nice paydays to fight a couple of easy touches in between, it makes no sense to turn it down.

I think a lot of it was timing and circumstances. Bowe's team was trying to milk him for all they could. The Holyfield series took a lot out of him and by the time a Lewis fight might have been even bigger, Bowe was on the slide and never regained his top form. It was too late.

Yes, tossing the belt into the garbage can was a terrible move for Bowe's legacy. Regardless of what you think, Bowe-Lewis not happening is a moment that will haunt Bowe forever.

 

That's what I've read, that Newman was to blame. I daresay that, though there are several sources that confirm Newman's culpability (including yet another fight that he ruined, an ill negotiated deal for Bowe to face Lewis around the time Bowe-Holyfield III happened, when Lewis might have won), we can't take it easy on Bowe (who should have seen what a terrible idea dumping the belt was). Big Daddy decided to follow along with Rock's terrible ideas.

 

Exactly,that's what Bowe was really guilty of,allowing the dreadful Rock Newman to screw up his career.
Riddick had all the motivation he needed to take that fight with Lewis.
A chance to get even with Lewis after that defeat in the Olympic games,and the opportunity to
enhance his reputation after that great victory over Holyfield.
Sometimes fighters have to push for the big fights on their own accord and not rely on anybody else.
Bowe didn't fight Lewis because of fear,it's just that Big Daddy didn't care enough about his career.

 

Bowe himself, Rock Newman & most of all Eddie Papa Smurf Futch knew that if Bowe ever got n the ring with Lennox the gravy train would get de-railed. In Papa Surf own words he said " I knew Riddick could never beat Lennox when he put a fridge freezer in his bedroom. He ate & drank his career away

 

He knew he couldn't beat Lennox End of story

 

Bowe was young and immature he also let Rock Newman guide his career with no questions asked.

 

Riddick was doomed the moment Futch had enough.

 

Then why did Bowe sign an agreement to fight Lennox in 1994 ? That fight was scuppered when
Lewis unexpectedly lost to Oliver McCall
No Riddick didn't avoid the Lewis fight because of fear or lack of confidence.As stated earlier the easy-going
Bowe just let Newman make profoundly daft decisions that ruined his career.

 

Exactly.

 

ROFL No that fight was scuppered after Lennox demolished Razor Ruddock. Bowe, Newman & the great Eddie Futch knew Bowe couldn't live with Lennox. Newman as good as admitted that in Dallas that night when he said "Riddick made as much beating Dokes & Ferguson instead of risking it all against Lewis"
After all it was deal made to determine the Real HW champion was Bowe/ Holy & Lennox/Ruddock Big Baby Bowe renaged on that deal & it basically destroyed his career

 

I understand it from a risk/reward standpoint. Bowe had just gotten a mega deal from Time Warner/HBO and was making millions to fight soft (or perceived soft) opposition. Lennox was a big risk, so I’m guessing they were going to delay it after they milked it for all it was worth.

It still annoys me regardless. I wanted to see them fight. The whole boxing world wanted to see it in 93’.

 

Bowe the Bully didnt want that work.