The Riddick Bowe that fought Evander the 1st time vs Any Heavyweight in History

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Iceveins, May 31, 2011.


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  1. Iceveins

    Iceveins Puglistic Linguistics Full Member

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    Bowe's legacy obviously leaves much to be desired and his resume although good, was definitely not as accomplished as it could have been. But when he showed up trained, motivated and focused he was a force to be reckoned with. That night in 1992, Bowe maximized every ounce of his ability in to what I consider one of the most impressive performances from any heavyweight. Beating a prime Evander in the manner he did was an amazing feat onto itself, and he displayed all the skills and intangible traits of a world class fighter.

    If you throw that mentally and physically astute version of Bowe in against any heavyweight in history, who do you think had the best chances of beating a guy that was 6'5", mean, fast, skilled, powerful, iron chinned, conditioned and ready to fight every minute of every round.
     
    Iceveins, May 31, 2011
    Iceveins, May 31, 2011
    #1
  2. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    We could ask the same question of Douglas on the night he beat Tyson.
     
    Dempsey1238, May 31, 2011
    Dempsey1238, May 31, 2011
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  3. Iceveins

    Iceveins Puglistic Linguistics Full Member

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    Appreciate that fam!
     
    Iceveins, May 31, 2011
    Iceveins, May 31, 2011
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  4. Iceveins

    Iceveins Puglistic Linguistics Full Member

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    You have a point. I mentioned before that Douglas on his best night looked a lot like Riddick Bowe. Jabbing, inside fighting, 2 handed assault...
     
    Iceveins, May 31, 2011
    Iceveins, May 31, 2011
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  5. Threetime no1

    Threetime no1 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Good thread and nice opening post.
    That Bowe could realistically beat anyone. Awesome.
    I think peak Ali would be hard for him to overcome, and Louis. But i visualise that version of Bowe beating Holmes, Foreman, Frazier pretty much everyone.
    I will say though that a peak Lewis was physically stronger and maybe always had Riddick's number. But i would say that.:hey.
    But i wouldn't be totally confident of picking anyone over that Bowe.
    The only thing with that fight that bothers me is Holyfield was small and lacked major power, which i sometimes think made Bowe look better.
     
    Threetime no1, May 31, 2011
    Threetime no1, May 31, 2011
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  6. tommygun711

    tommygun711 The Future Full Member

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    Agreed. Although I'd say Holyfield was a much better opponent then that version of Tyson for sure
     
    tommygun711, May 31, 2011
    tommygun711, May 31, 2011
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  7. Iceveins

    Iceveins Puglistic Linguistics Full Member

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    I'm not sure Lewis was necessarily stronger, they were both big, strong, powerful guys. It would be hard to say for sure that one was physically stronger than the other.

    As for having Riddick's number, I think that Olympic fight leaves a lot to be desired. Bowe won the first round, landed nice shots, fighting in close, connecting with some big uppercuts. Come the 2nd round you saw an amateur fight called pretty quickly once the going got tough. That ref was way too involved in the action, constantly stopping it, giving Bowe 8 counts like he was giving out candy. Although Lewis did win, we know the amateurs are a sprint, the pros is a marathon. Its almost impossible to judge the outcome of 2 seasoned pros based on how they looked in 3 rounds of amateur action.
     
    Iceveins, May 31, 2011
    Iceveins, May 31, 2011
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  8. Anarchy99

    Anarchy99 Babalu will KILL You! Full Member

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    Bowe was an animal. Point blank. Everything about him said greatness. He had every tool one could desire for a fighter and utilized every gun in his arsenal very effectively. One his best night I see him beating any heavyweight in history. Every answer you could produce for his onslaught would be counter attacked swiftly and effectively.
     
    Anarchy99, May 31, 2011
    Anarchy99, May 31, 2011
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  9. Threetime no1

    Threetime no1 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It's the olympic fight that makes me think Lewis was stronger. No doubt the refs are over-cautious, but after Bowe looking good in the first, Lewis came out and over-powered him in the second, early stoppage or not.
    I think this never left Riddick's mind and he genuinley wanted no part of Lewis in the pro's.
    It's a shame, because i think it's probably the best fight not to happen, possibly ever. But like i said the Bowe of Holy1, i wouldn't be totally confident of anyone beating him. Because that Bowe put in a near complete performance. A waste really.
     
    Threetime no1, May 31, 2011
    Threetime no1, May 31, 2011
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  10. quarry

    quarry Guest

    i think Lewis had the better right-hand power but the rest of the fundamentals lie with Riddick Bowe who would pose a problem for many heavyweight champions on his best night.
     
    quarry, May 31, 2011
    quarry, May 31, 2011
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  11. crippet

    crippet Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I suppose he would if you just disregard other fighters best night

    Even at his best he got hit a hell of a lot

    He would be well beaten by the Frazier that beat Ali - The Foreman that beat Frazier and he was beaten by in Holyfield II because Holyfield adapted and Bowe couldnt
    If Holyfield was a major puncher not just a cruiserweight he would have stopped Bowe 3 times
     
    crippet, May 31, 2011
    crippet, May 31, 2011
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  12. quarry

    quarry Guest

    i agree.. Frazier was a brutal & destructive fighting machine whom i would fancy to beat Bowe the same goes for Foreman.. Holyfield i think benefited in his 2nd fight with Bowe from "FAN-MAN" halting the action for 25 minutes otherwise it may well have been a series won 3-0 by Bowe
     
    quarry, May 31, 2011
    quarry, May 31, 2011
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  13. Iceveins

    Iceveins Puglistic Linguistics Full Member

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    Of all fighters, you really think Frazier had the style to take down Big Daddy? I would have to disagree...I think Bowe's style was all wrong for Frazier, not just counting the height and jab, but his tremendous inside fighting.
     
    Iceveins, May 31, 2011
    Iceveins, May 31, 2011
    #13
  14. tommygun711

    tommygun711 The Future Full Member

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    the uppercut as well wouldn't bode well for frazier
     
    tommygun711, May 31, 2011
    tommygun711, May 31, 2011
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  15. quarry

    quarry Guest

    yes i do, Frazier applied more pressure than Holyfield and was a better left-hooker than Holyfield, his constant pressure would cause huge problems for Bowe who never punched anywhere near as powerfully as George Foreman and Frazier could chop down & mix it with big guys like he did Mathis & Bugner
     
    quarry, May 31, 2011
    quarry, May 31, 2011
    #15
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