If Lennox Lewis had never been born.

Ruddock would have probably been a difficult opponent for Holyfield and most certainly would have represented the King Suliaman controlled WBC.

 

Holyfield would have unified but I think he's always had problems with motivation almost as though he prefers to chase than be chased. It's probably why he always fought up and down to his level of competition.

Since Lewis wouldn't have been a factor until the late 90s I'd say the events that took place up until Tyson's release from prison would have likely stayed the same. Scratching my head to see who actually takes Evander's titles after he beats Tyson in the rematch.

 

Holyfield avoided Ruddock and chose to fight Bowe in 1992. Bowe at the time was considered a softer touch.

Lewis fought Ruddock instead.

It was supposed to be Holyfield Ruddock for the superfight.

The underdogs won instead.

 

Yes but if Lewis didnt exist, the most likely scenario would have been Holyfield fighting Ruddock after taking the titles back from Bowe. King would have kept Ruddock at a high ranking because he would have been his most dangerous pawn in regaining control of the titles.

 

I don't think Holyfield would have been quite as dominant as Lewis was. I suppose we would have seen Holyfield-Tyson 3 in the early 00s, and then Vitali would have whupped one of them shortly after.

As for the 90s; some of the fighters who were beaten by LL would have gotten hold of alphabet titles, became more marketable as a result and probably have ended up under the control of Don King and been protected. The division and era would have suffered a lot, because whatever people think of Lewis he was a dominant champion willing to fight anyone. When you don't have that sort of champion you get a situation like the mid 00s heavyweight division with several beltholders but none of them fighting eachother

 

Bowe miraculously grows a set of balls and reigns as undisputed champion until Golata beats him in 1996...

 

Don King productions would've controlled the WBC and WBA belts with his fighters. IBF possibly is up for grabs. WBO is up for grabs. You still had Tyson and he was where the money was.

I think a Corrie Sanders type guy gets the WBO. Maybe no Herbie Hide, if the other belts were tied up. then guys like a Moorer/Sanders/Mercer/Morrison and so on go after that WBO belt.

Bowe/Holyfield/Ruddock were not going to have long winning streaks. Win a few, then lose. Ruddock would've benefitted from soft matchmaking--like the road Bowe took. But sooner or later his flaws would have seen him lose.

I think a guy like Tua benefits the most. He likely wins a title somewhere along the line. But he won't make a lot of title defenses before getting licked.

You have to wonder if say DKP signed Ibeabuchi & then threw $$$ at his problems, how that would've played out. What better prospect was there? King always went after the established fighters and signed them and here was an up and comer I'm sure he would've waved some money at. No Lennox and here was a youthful big strong guy.

 

I don't remember Bowe being considered a softer touch. Coming up to Holyfiled's first fight with Bowe,a lot of experts forecasted a Bowe victory. And they were accurate.

 

???????????????? :huhatsch

But Holyfeild beat Riddy Bowe in 1993 rematch.

 

Holyfield and Bowe would have stayed on course,in all three meeetings. Razor Ruddock would have been top contender,at some point,but would get beaten by Holyfield or/and Bowe. Oliver McCall may possibly have upset Bowe or Holyfield,not too likely though.

 

Oliver McCall wouldn't beat Bowe until he was shot, which is after his 3rd brutal war with Holyfield.

McCall beats the Holyfield who had Hepatitus in Bowe III, because once he badly gasses Oliver would take over. Apart from that version, McCall doesn't beat any other non-shot (pre-'00) versions of Evander, not even the one who suffered from a collapsed left ventricle of the heart & an injured shoulder against Moorer, in a fight in which he actually still deserved the decision.

 

Mcall would never beat Bowe

 

Unlikely,lefthook but stranger things have happened in boxing. Evander looked pretty shaken up against Bert Cooper,for a bit.

 

Holy was hurt by a huge hook to the body by Cooper, but you must remember that Evander has an iron chin & incredible powers of recuperation, plus McCall is a poor finisher (If you're trying to suggest Oliver may stop him). That said, I don't rule out the possibility of him stopping Holyfield from Bowe III though, since the Hepatitus made him suddenly utterly exhausted.