Assuming Bowe/Holmes had taken place after Bowe had beaten Holyfield and Holmes outclassed Mercer, who would have taken it? Could Holmes have pulled off another upset by outjabbing Bowe? Or would the younger, more powerful Bowe rough Holmes up too much? Tyson/Bowe is one fight which should have happened, obviously. In 1991, who gets the W? Tyson was past his prime, and I don't think we had seen the best of Bowe either. They could have brought the best in each other and I reckon it would have been a really good fight. Could Tyson win the kind of fight it would probably turn into? How about Bowe/Foreman? Sometime in 1993/4. Could Foreman's style have given Bowe something to worry about? Or would Bowe simply outdo the older man? I reckon Bowe beats all three. Holmes by decision in a close fight. I don't think Tyson could outbrawl Bowe, and I think it would be a brawl. So Bowe by stoppage in around 10. I also think Bowe would decision Foreman, but unlike against Holmes, by a considerable margin. I think they would have all been interesting fights, though. Would have been nice to see them.
Tyson/Bowe: Fairly easy win for Tyson. Bowe's defense was far too leaky, he got hid hard in all his fights, and against a puncher as devestating as Tyson that won't work. Bowe/Foreman: I'm of the opinion that a lot of comeback Foreman, as impressive as it was, was a mirage. Bowe would be able to outbox him fairly easy. Even though Foreman would land some hurtful punches on Bowe. He wouldn't be able to do it in a quick period and win the fight. Bowe/Holmes is an interesting fight, and I'll have to defer to other posters here on who would win it.
I think both Holmes and Foreman would beat Riddick Bowe in their prime, but Bowe would beat the older versions of the two. As far as Bowe-Tyson in 1991, I think it would have been a very tough fight to call. Bowe fought really well on the inside for a 6 foot 5 man, and had a very good jab and hard right hand. Had all the tools to beat Tyson, but whether or not he could pull it off is a tough call. It would all depend on if he could hold off Tyson's aggression and also take Tyson's best. When guys like Douglas and Holyfield could do that, Tyson lost.
Bowe would have been too much for both Holmes and Foreman. Holmes wouldn't have been able to pull that rope-a-dope stuff with Riddick, and there's no way Holmes would have been able to outbox or outjab him at center ring. Foreman would have been way too slow and immobile to beat Riddick, and I doubt Foreman's punches would have had much of an effect on him. Bowe/Tyson would have been a tough one to call.
Larry Holmes and Riddick Bowe-you my friend have just pitted my two all time favorite fighters against eachother. Im afraid that I can't possibly choose between the two. Bowe outpoints Foreman. Bowe by tko/ko in the later rounds vs. Tyson. Bowe had a hell of a chin, hit hard, fought well on the inside, and liked a good brawl. Tyson after his prison stint, didn't have the same beard as he once did.:verysad
I would pick Bowe over Tyson by late stoppage. Too much heart, power skill and determination, something that even a prime Tyson didn't like in his opponent and Bowe was an elite fighter to top it off. I would favor Bowe over that version of Holmes as well and if he boxed carefully, George Foreman also. LMAO
Bowe, while highly skilled, had awful defense, he got hit at a high rate in all his fights and that is partly why he fell apart so quickly. Given that were talking about a 91 Tyson who was still a devestating offensive fighter I dont see why its ridiculous to expect Tyson to take care of him.
