by James Slater – Former heavyweight world champion Riddick Bowe may not be done fighting yet it seems. Though the now 42-year-old ex-champ has not fought since December of 2008, that fight coming after over three-and-a-half years of inactivity, Bowe says he wants to fight again as soon as he possibly can. And one man “Big Daddy” has called out, according to Fightnews.com, is former WBC cruiserweight champ and heavyweight title challenger Juan Carlos Gomez..
Gomez, last seen being hammered by WBC heavyweight king Vitali Klitschko last April, is set to return to action in Germany in March. Could we be seeing Gonzalez-Bowe?
“I want to get back in the ring as soon as I can and Gomez is a good fight for me,” Bowe is quoted as saying by Fightnews. “He’s already fought Vitali Klitschko and now it’s his last chance to prove he belongs with real world class. I’m even ready to come to Germany for him if that’s what he wants.”
Bowe, the last time he fought (against the little-known Gene Pukall of Germany, on the under-card of Wladimir Klitschko Vs. Hasim Rahman), was still able to jab well, but he was hugely overweight and his other punches lacked speed and power. Though Gomez is no killer at heavyweight, he would still almost certainly prove to be far too much for the badly faded Bowe.
Seemingly unable to give it up and find something else to do with his life other than fight for money, the once awesome big man who is now 43-1(33), despite only having ever lost once as a pro, will no doubt struggle to find too much fan support in this, his latest comeback. If it actually happens, that is. Because Bowe has spoken in the past about certain further comeback bouts – he once, quite recently, spoke of wanting a fourth fight with old rival Evander Holyfield – only for them to fail to see the light of day.
Maybe a Bowe-Gomez match-up will also disappear; but in boxing these days, no-one can tell for sure. But even if Bowe was able to handle the Cuban’s superior speed and reflexes as well as his southpaw stance (it’s been a long time since Bowe faced a lefty) and beat Gomez, what would the win lead to? The thought of Bowe in there with a Klitschko or a Haye? Now that is scary!