Does anyone remember Riddick Bowe's 2004-05 comeback?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by dmt, Apr 19, 2026.

  1. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    I was a little kid who had just become obsessed with boxing. I was reading as much about boxing as possible, youtube was new and didn't have that much content on it.

    Friday night fights on ESPN was my source for boxing commentary and fights. I remember Bowe's comeback quite distinctly. I had high hopes for Bowe regaining his form and winning a belt but his comeback fizzled very quickly.

    Does anyone remember Riddick Bowe's 2004-05 comeback? At that time, did you feel he had a realistic chance of pulling a Foreman or did you think he was truly done?
     
  2. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Nope.

    His defense was not going to improve, was it?
     
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  3. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Yes. However, i was very naive and relatively new to boxing. Also, the heavyweight division was dreadful so there was hope that a talented former champ could come through.
     
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  4. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He took terrible beatings vs Golota the 2nd fight especially he took over 400+ punches which is a frightening amount of punches to be taking vs a 240+ pound fighter.

    Bowe was already punch drunk by that time just compare his speech to when he was in his prime compared to his speech after the 2nd Golota fight.

    Bowe sounded like he had marbles in his mouth it was actually sad how fast he eroded as a fighter in literally just 4 years at 28 years old.

    As for his comeback ? No he had virtually no chance of winning a world title he was completely shot and was punch drunk as I said.

    Just watch his fight vs Billy Zumbrun a fight he was lucky to win and was wobbled numerous times throughout the fight.

    The only piece of Bowe that was left was his fighting heart everything else was completely shot.
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2026
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  5. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Yeah, I remember it and he was terrible. I remember him sticking his tongue out and gyrating in that one fight like it was yesterday.
     
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  6. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    :lol: good call. I remember that too. One of my earliest boxing memories :lol:
     
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  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I remember reading about it and hoped it wasn't going to come around
    He was done after Golota.
     
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