Very tough one,this. Two talented heavyweights who should have achieved a lot more than they did. Matching the Witherspoon who gave Larry Holmes a close call in 1983 against the 1992 Bowe of the first Holyfield fight,I would give it to Bowe on points. In ring centre there would be a lot of good exchanges,with advantage swinging back and forth. Bowe would win this by forcing Tim to back up at frequent intervals where he was n't so effective. Close call though.
Even money here. Bowe is the superior athlete in there but Tim is the better defensive and more well rounded HW. A Tubbs that was on the decline came damn close to beating a young Bowe, and a prime Spoon was a step above Tubbs. I think it would be an interesting fight but the judges would probably give it Bowe on workrate.
Funny how you always point out his worst performances. What about the Bowe that beat Evander? That was the more consistent Bowe that showed up for fights in his prime and was a far superior fighter. Bowe was never blown out in one round as well. Spoon almost lost to Tubbs as well and up until his fight with Bowe he had only dropped two fights, a close loss to Spoon and a knockout loss to Tyson. Ever think that Tubbs wasn't such a bad fighter??
Tubbs wasn't a bad fighter but Spoon was better, proven by the fact that he BEAT Tony. ****ing hell man, I leaned towards Bowe but you still come on here and give me **** because I pointed out the negatives (facts) about Bowe rather than simply salivating over his one shining moment against Holyfield. You have to take the bad with the good, and it takes a lot more than 1 fight against a guy (even a great one) that's tailormade for you for to be regarded as a great HW. Spoon and Bowe are in the same league.
I'll go with Bowe via close decision. Timmy had a lot of talent, but I think Bowe had a bit more in terms of a will to win. In very close boxing matches, its usually the guy who wants or it, or the guy who does not do enough that determines the score cards.
I dunno about BEAT.... but Bowe at his best gives any heavy in history a tough fight. But I see him losing to peak versions of Ali, Holmes, Tyson, Liston, Lewis, and Foreman.
Bowe avoided punchers. Lewis fought all of the hard fights. In a Bowe/Timmy shootout I'd be interested to see both Bowe and Timmy throwing their arching overhand rights with abandon. Bowe lacked a short, straight right. He was fun and talented but his resume has many unanswered questions attributed to it. I believe he'd be a full night's work for anybody in history....but I won't go any further than that. Simply put, Bowe never earned that distinction.
I'll take Bowe here - but Witherspoon is a live dog in this fight, especially if he turns up in shape.