Where does Riddick Bowe rank?

Lewis destroys him at any stage. And being ranked the 1 only in 92 and 95 does not make him the best. Between 92 and 95

 

Above Gene Tunney.

 

The list of guys he didn't fight is daming.

 

Perfect post. Fair.

 

Pre-Steward Lewis gets blown out by Bowe anytime, post-Steward Lewis beats Bowe UD.

Lewis didn't have enough tools to beat the Holy-beating Bowe I. He became truly great after hooking his wagon to Emmanuel and company.

That said, I have Lennox Lewis at #5 ATG while Bowe is #15. Bowe got really lame after knocking the hell out of Holy. The Bowe who got beat by Golota would have been stopped in 2 by Lewis.

 

I also didn't think Holy ever quite beat Bowe. I had the second fight Bowe two points ahead. I was surprised the judges didn't at least give Bowe the champion's benefit of a doubt.

 

Beating prime holyfield is makes you great he showed a lot in all3 fights. Had the potential to do a lot more. I would put him in the vitali range all things considered

 

Beating convincingly a completely prime Holyfield is what made RB a deserved Hall of Famer. Holy made himself into an ATG the night of their first fight as well imo.

 

A consideration for Top-20, maybe. I have Bowe outside of that range, with there being at least 20 Heavyweights I would consider deserving a place ahead of him.

I think Bowe's Head-to-Head status is up there with the Leviathans of the division's history. But, his achievements, however spectacular, are limited in number.

Bowe, in large part, leaves a big "what could have been" hole in his legacy.

 

The Olympic Final.

 

That was a ridiculously early stoppage, even the announcer thought so. Bowe was dancing around with his hands in the air when it was stopped.

It was actually all about money, Lewis was offered a horribly insulting low sum to fight Bowe and he wouldn't take it. I should mention, Lewis turned down a big offer later to fight Bowe (I believe it was just before Holy-Bowe III).

 

Great Fighters don't leave stones unturned. With Bowe's size, skills and power, he could have been a truly emphatic Heavyweight even if he'd taken another loss or two.
Over 20 years after he retired, we're still wondering. That's an enigma, not a Great.

 

Thanks Rules. Didn't know this. Shame for both boys.

 

This is a really important point. Lewis ended up blowing Bowe away in accomplishments...in no small part due to the missing Bowe fight.
They both really were to blame. Bowe's throwing his WBC belt away just because Lewis wouldn't take a pittance purse is one of the most ignoble actions in boxing history. That belt has meant a lot to a lot of people (for one Mr. Larry Holmes, a better fighter than either of them imo).

 

Yes mate. That belt in the bin thing will always leave a bad taste. Still, didn't make him a bad Fighter. He really could have been something.