If Riddick Bowe had the dedication of Marciano? Would he be one of the best?

I don't think he would ever have cracked the top ten but he could possibly have been a solid pick for top fifteen.

Not truly great as a boxer, or a puncher , but pretty good at both.

His greatest ability for such a big guy imo, was his ability to fight inside .

Answer to your second question, maybe Greg Page?

 

He'd have been a cert for a top 15 place. And his time at the top would obviously have been a lot longer.

 

Bowe was one of the best.

 

Yes, I concur. I believe if Bowe stayed super dedicated he could have
Been the best heavyweight of his era, after an 80s Tyson of course different
era though. I believe Bowe would have beat Lewis and Tyson in the 90s.
If Bowe stayed on top of his game he beats every big name in his time or
warrants a rematch that he wins. Great outside game, exceptional inside game.
The heart of a warrior and an iron chin. He could be hurt but not finished, although
a stoppage could have occured in second Golota fight. The 90s was so stacked.
Bowe was tough man you gotta be a special gighter to beat him.

 

Big time.

He had the whole package and all the tools. Very technically underrated.

With the mental strength and dedication of Marciano , both Bowe and Golota would of been unstoppable.

 

yes, i think he could of been the man of the 90's, he had great jab and right hand (although some clame he only threw an overhand right?), one of the best uppercuts ever, one of the best infighters of the heavyweights, and iron chin and a lot of heart, his stamina is also underated, not many men, especially of his size, could keep up the pace he set in the first holyfield fight.

however even if he was dedicated, rock newman could still be a factor

 

He was fragile. After a coddled start to his career, he had an easy road to the title, a fairly grueling trilogy with Holy (but just a trilogy) and some underwhelming defenses. That is not exactly an exhausting, damaging career but he was done at 29. A true great would require more durability than that.

Also, for all his skill at infighting, I am not sure that was the best approach for him. His angles and leverage inside were excellent but his defense was porous. He should have been encouraged to use footwork and a jab more, wear down his opponents from the outside and avoid the inside wars.

 

Bowe would have been had he had a little more discipline when it came to food!..

 

I'd say yes, but with a caveat:

The dedication would have needed to not just be in his physical conditioning, but on his craft.

The man got hit to much, and didn't fight enough behind his sterling jab. He wouldn't have achieved much more than he did without fixing his style and improving as he got seasoned, instead of declining from all the ass beatings he took.

 

I never understood why he went into the trenches so often. Was he just so out of shape he was afraid to use his legs? Sure, he looked flashy inside but he got nailed a lot, too. Keeping on the outside with good legs and a jab seemed like a much better way to utilize his natural gifts.

 

He was naturally very aggressive, a mean fighter with killer instincts. Check some of his pre-Holyfield performances: He got in good shape for a few during his run to the title shot, and he still went at guys to murder him. Disciplined boxing wasn't instinctual for Bowe, and he never got settled down.

Also, man, somebody needed to sit him down and MAKE him throw that right hand straight. Hard to have an elite outside game without a straight right hand.

 

I love the 2nd round of the Cooper fight, just a glimpse of how good Bowe might've been.

Great jab, fluid combinations & a brutal finish. He did throw a nice straight right for the first KD but that was a rarity.

 

Yeah he certainly didnt mind eating flush shotsshots to get to someone.
He did have a mean streak though like in the Gonzalez fight.
Maggna in your opinion how good or dangerous was Gonzalez
and what do you think of that win for Bowe, and finally
Have you sparred with Bowe!!?