In 1992 perhaps the most disgraceful event in Heavyweight Championship boxing occurred. Riddick Bowe on instructions from his manager Rock Newman called a press conference and literally threw the WBC belt into the trash, in the process avoiding a fight with Lennox Lewis his mandatory challenger. In later years Bowe has come to show genuine regret and remorse over his actions however in this alternative universe he’s just pissed off one of the most old school fighters there is. Muhammad Ali was watching the press conference and was shocked at the blatant disrespect towards the sport, the WBC and fellow boxers. Ali is pissed and is coming for Bowe. Once the fight was signed Rock Newman made his presence known telling everyone who would care to listen Ali is too small and just doesn’t hit hard enough to trouble Bowe. Ali fired back calling Bowe Big Baby for hiding behind Newman and letting him pull all the strings. Physically Bowe has the advantages being 2 inches taller, 20 lbs heavier and with 3 inches in reach. Ali is by far the faster of the two, with also more heart, stamina and ring IQ where Bowe excels is having more power, being bigger and a better inside fighter. On paper the fight is pretty close but how would things play out. The fight starts with Bowe coming forward and controlling the centre of the ring or is this where Ali wants him. Muhammad is more than happy to dance around the outside just staying out of range and coming in with his fast combinations then moving out of position. Bowe is really struggling to pin down his opponent noticing how much faster his feet and movements are. Also the blurring combinations are hard to read and are really jarring Riddick. Bowe is struggling to get his timing down every time he throws the jab Ali comes over the top with a lighting fast right cross-counter then ties him up clinching. A perfect strategy to avoid Bowe’s inside game. By round 5 Bowe has lost every round and is starting to feel frustrated, unable to use his size or shots on the inside. He comes out for the fifth and starts letting his hands go a little too wildly for his corners liking. Bowe manages to land a couple of good shots on Ali’s chin but his opponent absorbs the punishment and keeps on moving. Whenever they tie up Bowe is using his bulk to push Ali around and tire him out. During the championship rounds Ali is slowing ever so slightly and Riddick comes on strong landing some flush uppercuts on the inside followed by powerful hooks. Round 12 begins with Ali coming out wanting to close the show strong, he fires out his jab and follows it up with a blistering 3 punch combination which stuns Bowe. He shakes it off and throws some hard shots of his own landing a cracking shot on Ali’s chin which results in the Greatest covering up and initiating a clinch. The last 30 seconds and Ali has cleared his head and is teeing off on Big Daddy, landing a hard jab, then a right followed by a swift left hook then another right, the audience are in awe at the speed and accuracy of such beautiful boxing so late on in the fight. Both make it to the end of the fight and show respect to the other for a tough contest. Verdict – Decision win to Ali Anyone interested in receiving a bonus fight just DM me your email and state which fight either Frazier-Tyson or Marciano-Tyson
