It was 30 years ago. Today is three decades ago today that Evander Holyfield and Riddick bowe met for the first-time. This fight on November 13, 1992 saw the unbeaten battlers form one of the most memorable heavyweight fights of all time.
Bowe at his peak at 25 years old, against Holyfield at 30 years old, a man who is difficult to pin down. The result was 12 sensational rounds.
Bowe’s life would be a perfect example of this.
Bowe would never fight so brilliantly and so supremely again. Bowe displayed great stamina and great ability against Holyfield. He also had a great chin and an unquenchable desire. Bowe was described as having no heart by critics prior to the fight. These comments were based on his 1988 Olympic loss to Lennox Lewis. There are also stories about the Brooklyn fighter seeking the easy way out in sparring sessions at the gym.
Bowe pulled it all together on the night 13/11 1992. Holyfield was able to hit Bowe with every punch during the epic fight. But Bowe came back with even more. The fight was fought at a fast pace with neither fighter looking for a break. Bowe cemented his victory with a big 10th round – this The Round Of The Year, with Holyfield being in terrible trouble only to somehow come fighting back – and with a knockdown in round-11.
The decision was Bowe’s.
We knew it at the moment, but Bowe would only fight 13 times more. It was a disappointing title reign. Bowe beat up on a fading Michael Dokes and then an outmatched Jesse Ferguson. He was then beaten, when he was overweight, in the return to Holyfield. Bowe had eaten his entire way out of the championship, and into greatness. Bowe was known for having a kitchen in his motor-home and how he would enjoy ribs whenever he felt like it. Bowe loved eating more that he loved being a king.
Bowe won the WBO heavyweight title and did a knockdown to stop Holyfield. Bowe was then beaten by Andrew Golota in two horrible fights. The second one was especially hard for the former champ.
After the second Golota fight, Bowe began to show signs of brain damage. Bowe then began acting strangely. Bowe enlisted in the Marine Corps and lasted for six days before realising that things were too difficult for him. He then kidnapped his spouse and children. This was a tragic fall from grace for a fighter, who once seemed to have everything.
Bowe seemed set for greatness in Las Vegas years ago. He was only truly great that night. Bowe can’t be taken away from the win over Holyfield. He will never forget the praise for Holyfield’s heroics in losing.
These two fighters, who were both determined and well-matched, gave us something very special.
The first fight was the greatest, but the second and third fights were equally exciting. This 32-round fight saw Bowe win fights one and three, while Holyfield won the second. Millions of fans still love this rivalry, even years later.
