BoxRec

The Great John L wrote:

drunkenpiper36 wrote:In fairness I think Tyson probably packed more power into a single shot than Bowe did. But I think cumulatively and with both hands, Riddick had the ability to do more damage over a duration of time. I don't think Razor Ruddock or Tony Tucker could have gone 12 rounds with Bowe in the kind of fight(s) that Evander Holyfield did, taking blow after blow from the inside from Riddick.

Yes, you're right. Ruddock and Tucker couldn't have gone 12 rounds because Bowe would have never fought them unless they held a title.

And assuming they did, then my prediction would be the same.

drunkenpiper36 wrote:

The Great John L wrote:

drunkenpiper36 wrote:In fairness I think Tyson probably packed more power into a single shot than Bowe did. But I think cumulatively and with both hands, Riddick had the ability to do more damage over a duration of time. I don't think Razor Ruddock or Tony Tucker could have gone 12 rounds with Bowe in the kind of fight(s) that Evander Holyfield did, taking blow after blow from the inside from Riddick.

Yes, you're right. Ruddock and Tucker couldn't have gone 12 rounds because Bowe would have never fought them unless they held a title.

And assuming they did, then my prediction would be the same.

And again I would have to agree; at least with Ruddock. He certainly wouldn't have made it to the last round because he would have stopped the defense challenged Bowe long before the 12th.

I would of loved to see this fight. Which probably would of took place around 91. Which was Bowe's prime, and a few years removed from Tyson's. I would make it a 50/50, based on what Tyson showed up. Against Razor, in the first fight. I think Tyson knew he had something to prove. I think that Tyson gives Bowe some problems. If Bowe does make the mistake of going punch for punch with Tyson on the inside, I don't see him lasting past 5 or 6 rounds. If he uses his size/jab, and is able to keep the fight at a distance while holding Mike on the inside. I feel he can win. If he fights the same as he did against Holyfield in the first fight, Tyson's left hook will land as much as Holyfield's did. I can't see Bowe's chin holding up, if it turns into a brawl.

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:He was definitely faster. The biggest shot in this fight would probably be Bowe's uppercut, and it would cause a lot of damage.

I don't see it troubling Tyson unless it gets into the later rounds, but I expect Tyson to have stopped Bowe by then.

Roco wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:He was definitely faster. The biggest shot in this fight would probably be Bowe's uppercut, and it would cause a lot of damage.

I don't see it troubling Tyson unless it gets into the later rounds, but I expect Tyson to have stopped Bowe by then.

He'd have to stop him early. With Mike's propensity for holding on the inside he would get carved up in a long fight.

It's hard to quantify a shooting star like Bowe.

However at his best...(which weren't very long lads, and that's a big knock against him) I'm not sure I could bet against him against any HW you wish to name. In my book he soared to just about the highest level, and then sort of imploded. So most any of the greats could just wait him out prime for prime and beat him. But in that sweet spot of time, when he showed his best, I'm keepin' my money in my pocket.

How come Bowe gets the benefit of having a short prime yet when anyone says anything to defend Tyson's downfall it's making excuses? Bowe looked great against Holyfield and that was that, poor resume otherwise. Holyfield was a good match up for him, same as Norton and Ali in that aspect. Bowe too easy to hit and his chin wasn't as good as Holyfield, a recipe for disaster if you ask me.

I look at all of these fights as guys in their prime. Both at their absolute best, Bowe was better.

Have to pick Mike here. Recently watched Bowe against Martin and bigfoot is similar in height and reach to mike. Well watch that and tell me Tyson wouldnt have torn his head off. Bowe was close to prime too...just watched Tyson vs Ruddock 2 and I agree that Bowe at his very best may have beaten Mike here. . .but Tyson of the 1980's was a different animal

evrenb wrote:Have to pick Mike here. Recently watched Bowe against Martin and bigfoot is similar in height and reach to mike. Well watch that and tell me Tyson wouldnt have torn his head off. Bowe was close to prime too...just watched Tyson vs Ruddock 2 and I agree that Bowe at his very best may have beaten Mike here. . .but Tyson of the 1980's was a different animal

Amen brother.

I rate Bowe in his prime but I'd be very confident that a prime Tyson stops him. He'd just be far too fast inside for Bowe. If they'd have fought in the early 90s its tighter but I'd still prob pick mike.

I have to say, I'm surprised at all these people thinking Bowe in his prime was getting stopped. I mean, I haven't seen anything that shows me that,and I've seen plenty to lead me to believe that Tyson gets stretched the distance here and loses, if he isn't stopped himself late.

Bobbyptsd wrote:I have to say, I'm surprised at all these people thinking Bowe in his prime was getting stopped. I mean, I haven't seen anything that shows me that,and I've seen plenty to lead me to believe that Tyson gets stretched the distance here and loses, if he isn't stopped himself late.

I guess everyone sees it a different way. Bowe was solid, no question. A fighter that potential to be greater than he ended up. I feel Tyson would be too quick, powerful and explosive and knock him out.

idk its a toss up. obv. bowe beat holyfield, who outfought tyson but styles make fights. tyson had such a kill or be killed attitute and bowe didnt back down either. if ruddock gave tyson hell i'm sure bowe would too and it would come down to a bttle of wills. i'd maybe give an edge to prime bowe he had a lot of fighting heart and huge size advantage but it is still a toss up ...

BRITIANO187 wrote:IT MATTERS WHICH BOWE THAT WOULD SHOW UP AND IN SHAPE FOR THE FIGHT. AND IF TYSON WOULD BE IN SHAPE AND FOCUSED. BUT IF THEY BOTH WHERE FOUGHT IN THOSE CONDITIONS IT COULD EITHER GO WITH BOWE BY DECISION OR TYSON WITH A LATE OR MID ROUNDS KNOCKOUT. BUT I WOULD HAVE RATHER SEEN THAT FIGHT MORE THAN ANY HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT THAT DIDNT HAPPEN IN THE 90S. CUZ MIKE TYSON IN HIS PRIME WAS SO FUROCIOUS AND QUICK AND BOWE WITH THAT LONG JAB AND HEART OF A LION BRAWLING STYLE (WELL WHEN HE WAS IN SHAPE)

I would forecast likely this to be kind of mostly on the boring/disappointing side of the spectrum,especially styleistically speaking,sort of a bad style matchup for both. Neither able to really impose they're will. Tyson would mostly do the pressing and Bowe would settle on alot of jab and clinch after the first few rounds of Tyson attacking and Bowe mostly covering up and holding,after that from there on,more and more of that. I say,probably a SD Win for Bowe for landing more punches,most of them jabs. The one judge that has Tyson slightly ahead,appreciates the aggression and many attempts to make it exciting.

After concluding this,i reasoned that either "Tyson-Mercer",or "Bowe-Lewis" would've made for better style matchups,in the "Exciting for the fans" sense of the words "Better Style Matchups".

If Bowe did manage a jab and clutch he wins. But I just as easily envisage him taking one or two and standing up straight whilst Tyson unloads.

If Bowe lands a heavy shot early that would keep Mike honest. It's 50-50... But Tyson definitely had more "on it" nights than Bowe.

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:

Controversial wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:He was definitely faster. The biggest shot in this fight would probably be Bowe's uppercut, and it would cause a lot of damage.

Your not honestly suggesting Bowe hit harder than Tyson?

I wouldn't call it either way, they were both big punchers. Same with their chins.

Ask Evander Holyfield who the better puncher was. We all know the answer to that one.

laurel1965 wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:

Controversial wrote:
Your not honestly suggesting Bowe hit harder than Tyson?

I wouldn't call it either way, they were both big punchers. Same with their chins.

Ask Evander Holyfield who the better puncher was. We all know the answer to that one.

Tyson was never able to catch him with anything big. He was too owned. No question that Bowe was more skilled on the inside. By a mile.

This is almost a pick em' fight for me, but if forced I would have to go with Tyson. Bowe was certainly the better inside fighter, but his lack of defense could be his very downfall in close. Power-wise I think they're in the same league, with Tyson the slightly harder puncher. Tyson had the better chin and defense, which is what I see winning the fight for him.

If we match them up in the times, when they could actually meet, I'd pick Bowe. He began pro-career right after Tyson-Bruno 1, so, on the one hand, Riddick was green then, while, on the other hand, Tyson had already shown signs of regression. Anyway a prospect Bowe couldn't step up for the undisputed championship so fast. In the period of 1990-1991, after Tyson-Douglas, this match-up was more possible. And I doubt, that Riddick could be worse than Razor Ruddock. Bowe had a quickly reached short prime, which btw similar to Tyson's case, and in the early 90s Bowe had already been ready. In 1995-1996 they have been past prime both and here I also favour Bowe.

If we talk about prime vs prime, Tyson of 1985-1988 and Bowe of his first Holyfield fight, it's a bit tougher question. Tyson had never faced so good opponent in those times and he wasn't perfect against everybody on a higher level, what can be seen in Tucker and Smith fights, for example. Bowe wasn't just better than those guys, he was a great inside fighter, so he would be able to provide a solid counteraction to smaller Tyson, who would go inside to score his stuff. Riddick could take a punch and he could deliver it himself. Tucker rocked Tyson a bit, Bowe could do it better. So I even slightly favour Bowe in this match-up, he really could outfight Mike inside, I believe.

Might want to take this another step......Mike was potent over a much longer period of time than Bowe.....and although I think Bowe at his best would win.....it's a tiny sliver of time. Whereas over the longer haul, Mike was more ready be effective against Bowe for a longer period of time.

jlb03 wrote: ↑24 Jan 2014, 04:55 I would of loved to see this fight. Which probably would of took place around 91. Which was Bowe's prime, and a few years removed from Tyson's. I would make it a 50/50, based on what Tyson showed up. Against Razor, in the first fight. I think Tyson knew he had something to prove. I think that Tyson gives Bowe some problems. If Bowe does make the mistake of going punch for punch with Tyson on the inside, I don't see him lasting past 5 or 6 rounds. If he uses his size/jab, and is able to keep the fight at a distance while holding Mike on the inside. I feel he can win. If he fights the same as he did against Holyfield in the first fight, Tyson's left hook will land as much as Holyfield's did. I can't see Bowe's chin holding up, if it turns into a brawl.

Bowe was a much better in-fighter than Tyson was, despite being much taller & having longer arms.

In-fighting was one of Bowe's strengths, whereas Tyson was next to hopeless at it.

This fight is tough to call. They never peaked at the same time and realistic opportunities to fight were over a very short period


Bowe beat Holyfield in November 92 at which point Tyson was in prison.

Tyson is released in March 95 and wins back a version of the title in March 96 against Bruno. Tyson steps up in level of opposition and fights Holyfield in November 96 and June 97 losing both.

Bowe and Holyfield had already fought their 3 fights by November 95. Bowe was finished as a force by the time he faced Golota the second time in December 96.

Summer 96 is the only time they could realistically have met at anything approaching a decent level for both. That was the same time Bowe fought Golota the first time. It's a very close call but I think Tyson would have just enough to come out on top at that point.