Terrible Tim vs. Riddick Bowe

i am undecided on this, good matcup.

 

I am inclined to say Witherspoon here.

I think that Bowes tendency to trade combined with his leaky defence would play to Tims strengths.

 

Both Tim Witherpooon and Riddick Bowe's success was largely determined by what kind of condition they both showed up in. Both guys had good moments, and plenty of average performances as well.

Witherspoon, was truley in great shape and mental condition when he stepped up to the plate against Larry Holmes, as was Riddick Bowe against Holyfield. The big difference here, is that Bowe was probably better groomed for being a title contender, with his olympic background and 31 pro fights under his belt. Tim at his best, had only a handful of fights, and his later performances, although with a bit more experience, were usually when he was poorly trained, or undergoing some sort of managerial trouble. Tim continued to be competitive at a later age than Bowe who retired around 32 years old. Bowe, however ended his career with a fight against a peak Golata, who was probably better than any opponent Witherspoon faced post Tony Tubbs in 1986.

Spoon and Bowe both had great chins and durability at their best, and both possesed a fair amount of size and power. I'm going to pick the Bowe who beat Holyfield the first time in 1992, over the Spoon who battled Holmes in 1983 by a close decision. Riddick was a better well developed professional during his best years than Tim was, and likely had a more balanced arsenal of boxing ability and punching capabilities. If Bowe got careless and Tim showed up ready to wage war, the opposite could occur, but consistancy rules in favor of Bowe in this one.

Bowe by 12 round decision.

 

Bowe would not only whip Tim Witherspoon but also Tim's conqeror, Pinklon Thomas. He'd mop the floor with both of them.

 

The Witherspoon we saw against Holmes would KO Bowe. Bowe wasn't much defensively, and Spoon had a sneaky fast right. Also, Tim had a real good jab, good enough to nullify Holmes jab in their fight. Holy showed in the first two fights against Bowe that a good jab gave Bowe a lot of trouble.

 

Be a damn good fight with both at their best actually. Two very decent fighters.

 

Good example of a fight that would be a mismatch no matter how it played out.

Bowe and Witherspoon are two of the most inconsistent heavyweights of all time :good Bowe's prime was ONE FIGHT and Witherspoon's was a handful...it would take a sheer miracle for this fight to be anything than a one-sided blowout (for either guy).

People would lose alot of money on this fight - at least one, if not both, would show up out of shape/unmotivated/strung-out on coke

 

Whitherspoon by a split decision......good match up...

 

This is a good fight. Bowe is the better over all fighter, but in a head to head match up, I think Witherpsoon had the right tools to defeat Bowe.

Bowe's main weakness was defense vs distance fighters. Witherspoon had a very good jab and right hand. Enough to score points, and rock Bowe. Witherpsoon was a bit more athletic in terms of quick reflexes, and his defensive technique from a distance was much better than Bowe's.

Up close, Bowe was the better in-fighter. Bowe's uppercut was a real weapon. Bowe also seemed to cover up better up close.

This fight could very well be a Draw, or Split Decision. Much depends on where most of the action was taking place, and who wants it more.

 

I don't doubt you one bit.

 

If both are at their very best, this would be a very good fight. The Spoon from the Holmes fight would give alot of HW's a very tough assignment.


I'll take Bowe, by close-fought decision.

 

That's a fair analysis, I definately agree.

+1

 

Witherspoon could win, but something tells me that Bowe has his act together long enough to pull out a close majority decision.

 

Great matchup. Anyone see a tactical bout that
turns into a slugest late? Bowe somewhat
Controversial tko 12. Peak Bowe could beat
any heavyweight from any era. Bowe could be
Outjabbed at times, but Bowe also had a formiddable
jab, and the chin, inside game, and balls to
do damage.