Who's the furthest back, classic Fighter, Who could have beaten Riddick Bowe?

primary sources: ten instances of me using the word on this board alone.

https://www.boxingforum24.com/search/88338702/?q=obstinant&o=date&c[user][0]=13070

 

Hard to say given the rule changes, glove changes, and how Bowe's temperament and conditioning were all over the place.

I would also agree with the notion that you can rule out virtually every boxer prior to the Louis era. The vast majority were either just too small, too crude, or both. Louis himself would be in for the fight of his life and may lose that one given his offense-oriented style, slower feet, and vulnerable chin, but I give him a chance with his combinations and elite skill. Walcott looks good...until he doesn't and gets caught by something big. Charles, Rocky, and Archie are simply too small and would be like leopards trying to hunt a Cape Buffalo.

I don't have much confidence in backing a classic boxer to have more than a 50% chance of winning until you get to Liston. That thunderous jab, strong body shots, glacial chin, and good ring generalship could spell disaster for the often wide open Bowe. I don't think it's a foregone conclusion however, and it's still a very explosive and competitive matchup on paper. I'd give Liston at least 50/50, maybe 60:40 but not higher than that if both are at their best. Terrell, Patterson, Ingo, Machen, and Williams all lose.

So yeah, I'd say Liston is the first chronological classic HW who I'd have confidence backing against Bowe, but not by much.

 

Bowe did lose to Holyfield. Whose the closest example to Holyfield other than Usyk?

ROCKY MARCIANO

 

John L. Sullivan.

 

Prime Bowe was actually world class (certainly when he beat Holyfield) so I think the answer would be very few. Probably the first would be Joe Louis although I think guys like Tunney, Dempsey, and Johnson may have a chance.

 

Before Golota maybe neither Lewis