If Riddick Bowe was prime from 1980-1985

He was always going to be a flash in the pan.

 

I think he climbs to the top, fails to beat Holmes, and goes down as Larry’s toughest opponent. He could also snatch the belt from Spinks and defend it once or twice before Tyson ends his career.

 

He may be able to end Larry's reign, if he catches him around the time of his last title defenses.

 

Didn't Holmes have some trouble with Renaldo Snipes?

Bowe would lay some pulverizing punches on Holmes, high and low (and behind the head). He could definitely score a knockdown against Holmes.

pts fight, whoever wins.

 

Questions like these are a bit difficult to answer because when was Bowe's prime really? How long did it last? I don't think we'll ever really know. He just had nights where he looked good and nights where he looked bad. At his best, I think he could give Holmes a very tough fight and possibly eek the decision. I think if he fights Michael Spinks around 1985 he could pick up the lineal title to. At his worst, I think he could lose to a Pinklon Thomas/Greg Page type and would get badly schooled by Holmes. Really though, he'd probably just be the poster boy for the "lost generation" of 80s heavies and would further the "what coulda been" factor of that era.

If anything though, with all the blow that was going around during those days he might have crashed and burned even more spectacularly than he did in the 90s.

 

He would be kayod by Holmes w/in 15 and then join Wither Page Tubby on the big titty crew.

 

Just fascinating.... would a dominant bowe emerge or a diminished one.....I tend to feel he may struggle.....that lost generation...pretty much a lot of em were very tough for 1 or 2 nights....a prime Dokes,Thomas or Tubbs they may beat him

 

As said, perhaps if he catches Holmes as the tail end, he could do something. I don't see why not.
But also as said, he wasn't consistent and would struggle to maintain form.

Bowe was very talented, but he basically built his career fighting Holyfield, who always brought the best out of him.

 

Past prime Tubbs almost did...

 

Depends. If he had a trainer like D'amato to teach him even basic defense, he would've gone a lot further.

He could've conceivably beat Holmes anyone from '83 to '85 as is.

Then he'd most likely slack off, lose dedication, etc and somebody would dethrone him sooner or later. My money would be on Tyson.

Bowe had all the tools. Shame he couldn't put it all together.

 

Bowe beats Holmes, who I always thought was overrated.

 

Fridges in the early 80s were still small enough to move upstairs into a bedroom.If were talking Bowe during 1950-55 than with fridges the size of a cadillac...that damn things not getting up the stairs and Riddick isn't binge eating at night

 

I think Bowe would probably beat Holmes from 83 onwards if fit.

Bowe-Witherspoon would be a treat

Hard to see any version of Bowe being a great long term champ though. He didn't have the discipline.

 

If he was able to fight Holmes at his (Bowe's) peak he might very well take the title. I could see Larry outbox him but when Bowe was sharp he was a huge heavyweight with quick hands and plenty of power in both. A master cornerman in Eddie Futch. Eddie could gameplan against Holmes.
Holmes had the jab and quickness to nail Bowe but I don't think he would be a threat to KO him outside of massive accumulation. I just see Bowe finding a home for that right hand more than a few times. He could crack.