Was Tyson v Bowe ever on the Cards?

observer1 · Post by **observer1** » 04 Feb 2008, 21:28

I know just after the two Razor Ruddock Fights, Tyson ended up in Prison for 2 years, and his virtually ended there and then.

But just before that there were talks of Tyson and Holyfield going for it... Prison however stopped that.

But was Tyson and Bowe ever in the same Picture?

Or was Bowe just Small Fish Then?

I Feel Fine · Post by **I Feel Fine** » 04 Feb 2008, 21:34

If Bowe had beaten Golota the way he had expected to, a quick knock out, he might have fought Tyson next. According to Legendary Nights, anyway. That's the closest, that I'm aware of, that they came to fighting one another.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 05 Feb 2008, 08:14

Bowe was too inexperienced/unknown before Tyson's prison term, and too past it afterwards.

Bowe must have had the shortest prime of any heavyweight champion.

Goodnight, Irene · Post by **Goodnight, Irene** » 05 Feb 2008, 08:17

Bowe himself stated he wanted no part of Tyson, & I remember hearing something along the lines of him crossing to the other side of the street if he saw Mike.

I think the Bowe of 1992 against even a prime Tyson would have an outside shot with his size, power, range & under-estimated skill-set, but only an outside shot nonetheless.

Robinson · Post by **Robinson** » 05 Feb 2008, 18:25

They were both Brownsville boys werent they and friends?

Well seemingly in some interviews.

I Feel Fine · Post by **I Feel Fine** » 05 Feb 2008, 19:32

They were both from Brownsville and my understanding was that they were friends. After he won the title Bowe said in an interview with Al Bernstein that he was going to go visit Tyson in prison.

Robinson · Post by **Robinson** » 05 Feb 2008, 19:39

Thats right, I remember he said it some where was unsure which fight.

Goodnight, Irene · Post by **Goodnight, Irene** » 05 Feb 2008, 19:48

As he came down the aisle for that fight, Al Berman said Tyson had gotten word to Bowe he was rooting for him as a Brownsville local. I don't think this was a Frazier-Norton type of situation where they didn't fight because they were friends, though. Bowe sure didn't like Tyson's power or killer instinct, even post-prison.

Robinson · Post by **Robinson** » 05 Feb 2008, 19:57

Bowe strikes me as a guy that looks up to Tyson and would be easily intimidated by him. Even if it was a 2005 Tyson vs a 1992 Bowe.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 06 Feb 2008, 06:13

Robinson wrote:Bowe strikes me as a guy that looks up to Tyson and would be easily intimidated by him. Even if it was a 2005 Tyson vs a 1992 Bowe.

How about a 2005 Bowe vs a 1992 Tyson?

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 06 Feb 2008, 09:43

Goodnight, Irene wrote:Bowe himself stated he wanted no part of Tyson, & I remember hearing something along the lines of him crossing to the other side of the street if he saw Mike.

I think the Bowe of 1992 against even a prime Tyson would have an outside shot with his size, power, range & under-estimated skill-set, but only an outside shot nonetheless.

Physically, Bowe would have smashed Tyson had they met in 1992, but I'm not sure he had it mentally.

Bowe was terrified of Lennox Lewis, so it's a good bet that he would have been frightened; even of the one dimensional Tyson of 1992ish.

Crease · Post by **Crease** » 06 Feb 2008, 11:05

While Tyson was in his reign, Bowe wasn't ready for the big step-up.

As history shows Bowe came to prominence from 1992 to 1994, had Tyson defeated Douglas and continued his decpaitating of opponents, then he Bowe would have probably came up against the hen champion Tyson...

Goodnight, Irene · Post by **Goodnight, Irene** » 06 Feb 2008, 18:11

Syntax Error wrote:
Goodnight, Irene wrote:Bowe himself stated he wanted no part of Tyson, & I remember hearing something along the lines of him crossing to the other side of the street if he saw Mike.

I think the Bowe of 1992 against even a prime Tyson would have an outside shot with his size, power, range & under-estimated skill-set, but only an outside shot nonetheless.
Physically, Bowe would have smashed Tyson had they met in 1992, but I'm not sure he had it mentally.

Bowe was terrified of Lennox Lewis, so it's a good bet that he would have been frightened; even of the one dimensional Tyson of 1992ish.

I agree, which is why I mentioned that Bowe against the peak Tyson of the late 80's. I think Bowe had the tools to win that, though he probably wouldn't have. Defense too leaky & chin not good enough.

Evander · Post by **Evander** » 06 Feb 2008, 23:06

From what I remember it was rarely mentioned.

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 07 Feb 2008, 02:55

Evander wrote:From what I remember it was rarely mentioned.

It was never a feasible option anyway.

Tyson got gaoled in March 1992 & Bowe didn't win the title until Novemeber 1992, so they never really could have fought.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 09 Feb 2008, 11:45

Yes it was discussed and widely written about.

In 1995 we have three DK-orchestrated alphabet champs but it was Riddick Bowe who was widely considered #1, after his thumping of Jorge Luis Gonzalez, considered his return to form.

Bowe was expected to defeat Golota easily and late 96 seemed to be aimed towards a Tyson/Bowe showdown megafight. Bowe/Lewis wasn't really discussed anymore as everyone wanted the Tyson payday.

Of course Bowes ill discipline caught up with him v Golota, whilst Tyson/DK paid Lewis 4 mil to sit back and let him enjoy a couple of 'easy' fights with Seldon and a (considered shot) Holyfield.