Boxing

 

The Time Tunnel: Remembering Bowe-Holyfield I

By Murali Para

04.12 - In the annals of boxing, there are always fights that seem to grow in significance with the passing of time. This is certainly true of the three-fight series between Riddick Bowe and Evander Holyfield that took place between 1992 and 1995 - it was definitely among the boxing highlights of the 90s. With hindsight, it can be argued that all three of these epic fights are among the finest in recent heavyweight history. Indeed, we have to go back to the Ali-Frazier rivalry of the 70s to find a heavyweight trilogy that is comparable in terms of relentless action and competition at such a high level. The trilogy of fights witnessed the career-best performances of a young Riddick Bowe in the 1st and 3rd instalments, and it helped establish Evander Holyfield's renown as a perennial battling warrior.

It was Bowe-Holyfield I though - 1992 Ring magazine fight of the year - that was the most intriguing match of the series. The situation in the heavyweight division at the time ensured that it was very eagerly anticipated. Mike Tyson was serving a jail term, so only Lennox Lewis - after stopping Razor Ruddock inside 2 rounds - could stake a claim to rival Bowe and Holyfield as the best heavyweights in the world. And of course, the fact that both Bowe and Holyfield were undefeated only added fuel to the fire. As with previous heavyweight title fights like Ali-Frazier I, Holmes-Spinks I and Spinks-Tyson, there were questions to be answered. Bowe (31-0, 27) was the bigger, stronger, younger man and had good all-round skills. Meanwhile reigning champion Holyfield (28-0, 22) was more experienced at world level and his strengths were his hand speed and crisp counterpunches. How would their styles match up?

Holyfield started the fight positively - jabbing, throwing a few combinations and bouncing on his toes - while Bowe seemed tentative. From the 2nd round onwards though, the furious exchanges began in earnest. Holyfield was drawn into a brawl, fighting on the inside with Bowe. Bowe proved that infighting posed no problems for him in spite of his size, as he displayed a wide range of shots including right uppercuts, jabs, body shots and a hard left hook that stung the champion. This varied arsenal ensured that Bowe got the better of things until the 5th, when Holyfield landed a series of very good left hooks to re-establish himself. It was perhaps discouraging for him though that these shots did not seem to shift Bowe one little bit.

From the 6th to the 10th, Bowe once again took charge. Holyfield came out jabbing in the 6th, but the action soon reverted to brawling at close quarters - an area where Bowe very much had the advantage. Holyfield fired back good shots repeatedly, but the challenger's hard uppercuts and combinations were taking their toll and the champion's right eye was closing by the 7th. Holyfield at times seemed over-reliant on his left hooks when it seemed that Bowe was open to uppercuts and overhand rights. The 10th round was quite simply one of the most memorable in heavyweight history. Bowe hit Holyfield with a huge left hook and several hard combinations to head and body. The Real Deal staggered towards the ropes, but incredibly he stayed on his feet, only to come back at Bowe seconds later with his own flurry of uppercuts and left hooks.

And there was no let-up in the action in the closing rounds. Holyfield started strongly in the 11th, but Bowe finally managed to knock him down with his combinations to head and body. Once again though, Holyfield came back at Bowe who had momentarily punched himself out. Holyfield rallied in the final round, competing on even terms with the younger man. It was testament to his courage and fighting spirit that the champion finished the fight on his feet. The judges scored the fight 115-112, 117-110 and 117-110 and there were no protests as the undisputed heavyweight title changed hands. Riddick Bowe had proven himself a worthy champion with a display of superb technique, while Evander Holyfield gained in defeat a reputation as a true warrior.

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