Riddick Bowe became the first fighter to defeat Evander Holyfield in their initial encounter back in 1992.
In one of the most memorable heavyweight contests of the 90’s, ‘Big Daddy’ was declared the winner via unanimous decision in the first of three bouts against Holyfield at the end of 1992, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion in the process.
‘The Real Deal’ got his revenge just one year later to reclaim the unified WBA and IBF heavyweight titles from the grasp of Bowe in another competitive showdown which was scored as a majority decision in favour of Holyfield.
Bowe settled the score in their trilogy bout in November 1995, putting an end to one of heavyweight boxing’s greatest trilogies. Despite locking horns with Holyfield on three occasions, ‘Big Daddy’ has named the one man who hit harder than his former rival in a shock claim.
In a round of ‘Best I Faced’. Bowe revealed former WBO heavyweight champion Herbie Hide as the biggest puncher he ever faced.
“You’re not going to believe this [but] I would have to say Herbie Hide. … He hit me and I thought, “Oh s—. I can’t allow this guy to hit me again because I don’t know what I’ll see next.” Initially I was trying to box him and he was real fast. I said I can’t box him because he got me beat, so I fought him.”
Bowe knocked Hide out in the sixth round of their 1995 bout in Las Vegas to capture the WBO heavyweight title from the Brit. This victory would be the start of Bowe’s final reign as a world champion, with the sole defence of his crown coming against Jorge Luiz Gonzalez just several months later.
Known for his explosive speed and aggressive style, ‘The Dancing Destroyer’ Hide held the WBO heavyweight title twice and was a popular, albeit sometimes controversial, figure in British boxing during the 1990s.
His career was marked by exciting knockout victories and a willingness to take on top contenders, making him a memorable presence in the heavyweight division. He retired with a record of 49 wins from 53 fights, with 43 of those coming by way of knockout.
