Evander Holyfield, one of boxing’s greatest champions, has named Riddick Bowe as the heavyweight he regrets fighting. The former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion shared this surprising revelation in a recent interview on The Big Podcast With Shaq.
Holyfield’s career is packed with impressive achievements. He became the undisputed champion in the cruiserweight division after just 18 fights. He then moved up to heavyweight, where he knocked out Buster Douglas in three rounds to claim the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles, becoming undisputed champion in that division as well.
Throughout his career, Holyfield faced off against some of the most formidable names in boxing history, including Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, George Foreman, and Larry Holmes. But it’s his rivalry with Riddick Bowe that he now looks back on with regret.
On the podcast, Holyfield explained: “Riddick Bowe is the first person that I didn’t listen to what my momma told me. My momma told me not to become friends with people you’re going to compete with. She said you’ll tell them too much.”
Holyfield’s relationship with Bowe started when he was just 18 years old. He served as a sparring partner for Bowe during his preparation for the Olympics. This early connection laid the foundation for a friendship that would complicate their later professional rivalry.
“Riddick Bowe was that guy. I started sparring with him at the age of 18 when he was getting ready to go to the Olympics. I became good friends with him.”
The Holyfield-Bowe rivalry spanned three fights. Their first encounter in November 1992 saw Bowe become the first man to defeat Holyfield. A year later, Holyfield got his revenge, winning the rematch. The trilogy concluded in November 1995, with Bowe stopping Holyfield in the eighth round.
Holyfield’s regret about fighting Bowe stems from the friendship they developed, which went against his mother’s advice. She had warned him about becoming too close to potential competitors, fearing he might reveal too much about himself.
This revelation sheds new light on one of boxing’s most memorable rivalries. It shows that even for the greatest fighters, personal relationships can complicate professional decisions and leave lasting impressions long after the final bell has rung.
Source link
