Riddick Bowe, was he the avoider or the avoidee?

Rock Newman was an avoider

He made sure Bowe didn't fight Lewis right away after Bowe bagged the title.

That said, I think he was looking to make the most money for Bowe and himself, with the least risk.

It made no sense to fight Lewis right after the first Holyfield fight.

It was smart to have a couple of high reward, low risk fights and then stage a re-match with Holyfield. I believe Bowe made more money for the second Holyfield fight than he could have for a Lewis fight. He had already beaten Holyfield, so Newman probably reasoned there was a high probablility he could do it again.

I truly think that if Bowe had beaten Holyfield in their second encounter, he would have then tried to make Bowe/Lewis in a unification match. The time would have been right and the $$ for Bowe would have been greater than if Bowe fought Lewis in late '92 for just the WBC title.

 

Bowe is desperate for money and thinks a freak show bout with Tyson could make him a decent payday. That's why he calls out Tyson.