Riddick Bowe, the 1988 silver medalist turned pro who won one of the greatest heavyweight title bouts ever to become undisputed champion in 1992. Lennox Lewis, the 1988 gold medalist turned pro who was denied his rightful shot at the aforementioned new champion. What unfolded after their fight fell through in 1993 was unfortunate. Bowe and Lewis were set to meet again in 1994, but Lewis was knocked out by Oliver McCall. They were again set to clash in 1996 or 1997, but Bowe found himself pickled and retired by Andrew Golota (even in winning both bouts against the Powerful Pole by DQ). Thus we have, what is in my opinion, the biggest missing chapter in heavyweight history.
In the early 90s, Bowe was seen as the more seasoned and overall better professional who checked Lewis’s chin for the win. 1995 is a tossup given Bowe had his last standout year, and Lewis began rapidly improving under the tutelage of Emmanuel Steward. From 1996 onward, most agree that it would have been light work for Lewis. Lennox’s career is one that he can be proud of, having beaten all the best names from the 90s Silver Age. Lewis aged like fine wine and continued his dominance into the 2000s.
Today’s task is to explore what could have been in the career of Riddick Bowe if he had been more disciplined and dedicated to the sport of boxing. Bowe’s career is most famous for the Holyfield trilogy, but in this WHAT IF scenario, we are going to finally answer who would potentially win between the would-be rivals Bowe and Lewis. Not just prime for prime, but in the differing stages of their careers as well. Perhaps both men’s resumes are lacking the other, especially Bowe. Who do YOU believe would have won at every stage of their career and if both were at their absolute best?
One of the most painful instances for any fan is the reminder that Riddick could have (and probably should have) gone down as the greatest. The talent and physical gifts were there. It’s a missed opportunity that haunts the boxing world to this day. Bowe’s legacy is marred by what could have been, especially when considering the potential showdown with Lennox Lewis.
The missed encounter between Riddick Bowe and Lennox Lewis will forever be a tantalizing “what if” scenario in the world of boxing. Both fighters had the potential to become legends in their own right, but external factors and personal decisions led to a missed opportunity for a showdown that could have cemented their legacies. While we will never know for sure who would have emerged victorious in a fight between Bowe and Lewis, it is clear that the boxing world is left wondering about the potential outcome of this iconic matchup. The impact of this missed encounter continues to resonate with fans and pundits alike, serving as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport and the fleeting opportunities that slip through the fingers of even the most talented fighters.