Riddick Lamont Bowe (born
august 10, 1967) is an American former professional boxer.
As
an amateur he won a silver medal in the super heavyweight division
at the 1988 Olympic Games. After turning professional, Bowe became
a two-time world heavyweight champion, having first won the WBA, WBC
and IBF titles in 1992 to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
His second reign as heavyweight champion was in 1995, when he won
the WBO title. Bowe retired from boxing in 1996, but made a return
in 2004. He has been inactive since 2008, when he won his last professional
bout in Germany.
Bowe became the first fighter to knock down
and defeat Evander Holyfield when he claimed the undisputed world
heavyweight title in 1992. Holyfield won their rematch in 1993, handing
Bowe his first and only professional loss. Bowe later became the first
fighter to stop Holyfield, when he won their third match via TKO in
1995.
In a 2010 article by BoxingScene, Bowe was ranked the
21st greatest heavyweight of all time. In 2015, he was inducted into
the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Early years
Bowe was born
on August 10, 1967, the twelfth of his mother Dorothy Bowe's thirteen
children. Bowe was born and raised in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn.
His brother Henry died of AIDS, and his sister Brenda was stabbed
to death by a drug addict during an attempted robbery.
Amateur
boxing career
As an amateur, Bowe won the prestigious New York Golden
Gloves Championship and other tournaments. In 1984, age 17, he knocked
out opponent James Smith in just 4 seconds. In 1985, at the National
Golden Gloves championships, he lost to Fort Worth Heavyweight Donald
Stephens. Bowe won the silver medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where
he was stopped in two rounds by future world heavyweight champion
Lennox Lewis.
New York Golden gloves Championships
Bowe won four
New York Golden Gloves Championships. Bowe won the 1985 178 lb Novice
Championship, 1986 178 lb Open Championship and the 1987 and 1988
Super Heavyweight Open Championship. Bowe trained at the Bed-Stuy
BA.
Professional career
Bowe turned professional after his Olympic
loss. Highly regarded trainer Eddie Futch took on the job of developing
Bowe as he saw the talent. Eddie would say that Bowe had more potential
than any boxer he had ever trained.
Bowe turned professional
in March 1989, and knocked out Lionel Butler. His then manager, Rock
Newman kept Bowe active, fighting 13 times in 1989, beating journeymen,
the most notable being Garing Lane whom he beat twice. In September
1990, Bowe made his first step up in class, fighting faded ex-champion
Pinklon Thomas, who he dominated until Thomas gave up after eight
rounds. The following month, Bowe knocked out Bert Cooper in two rounds,
which added to his reputation and high ranking.
In March 1991,
Bowe knocked out 1984 Olympic Super Heavyweight Gold medalist Tyrell
Biggs. In Bowe's next fight, ex-champion Tony Tubbs appeared to outbox
and outsmart Bowe in a close bout, only to have the judges award Bowe
a unanimous decision. In August 1991, Bowe knocked out future world
heavyweight champion Bruce seldon in one round. In July 1992 knocked
out South African Pierre Coetzer in the seventh round of a world title
eliminator.