Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe never fought each other professionally in boxing, leading to a fascinating “what if” scenario in the sport. Their rivalry began in the 1988 Olympics, where Lewis, competing for Canada, defeated Bowe in the super-heavyweight final.
In their professional careers, Lewis and Bowe achieved success in their own unique ways. Bowe was known for his aggressive style and powerful punches, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion in 1992 after a tough fight with Evander Holyfield. Meanwhile, Lewis established himself as one of the most versatile heavyweights in history, earning a shot at the WBC title after a notable win against Razor Ruddock.
When the WBC ordered a showdown between them, fans were excited at the prospect of seeing them settle their Olympic rivalry. However, Bowe opted out of the match, even giving up his WBC title by famously throwing the belt into a trash can, generating substantial media attention. As a result, Lewis was crowned the WBC champion without a fight.
Following this incident, Lewis defended his title three times before suffering a surprising defeat to Oliver McCall. Bowe’s career also faced setbacks when he lost his belts in a rematch with Holyfield.
Bowe stated that his decision to avoid fighting Lewis was influenced by business considerations and his dissatisfaction with the WBC. In contrast, Lewis pointed to Bowe’s manager, Rock Newman, as the driving force behind the decision, suggesting that Newman was wary of risking Bowe’s legacy against someone who had previously beaten him.
Lewis remarked, “Rock Newman hesitated to put his top fighter at risk. I believe if Bowe had full control, he would have chosen to fight me because we both have fighting spirits. However, external factors can heavily influence decisions.”
Evander Holyfield, a notable boxer who fought both Bowe and Lewis, speculated that Bowe might have won if they had faced off before Lewis teamed up with trainer Emanuel Steward.
The unresolved tale of Lewis and Bowe continues to captivate boxing fans, sparking ongoing debates about what might have happened if their match had indeed taken place.
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