Riddick Bowe is widely considered to be one of the best heavyweights of his generation.
The hard-hitting New York-native had a stellar amateur boxing career before he entered the paid ranks back in 1989, claiming a super-heavyweight silver medal at the the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul.
He secured the unified WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles in 1992 when he outpointed countryman Evander Holyfield in the first of their three meetings, defeating ‘The Real Deal’ via unanimous decision at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Bowe was beaten by Holyfield in their rematch one year later but would go on to settle the score in their trilogy bout in November of 1995, stopping him in the 8th round of their non-title bout at Caesars Palace.
In an interview with Ring Observer, Bowe revealed former WBO heavyweight champion Herbie Hide as the hardest punching opponent that he ever faced, as he claims the Brit had power in both hands.
“I think Herbie Hide got that department. Absolutely. With either hand. A guy like that … Look how many guys Herbie has knocked out. That’s an understatement. I mean, guys remember our fight as a mismatch but Herbie Hide was the hardest hitting guy I ever fought, big or small. No question. Herbie Hide.
“Actually, I’m gonna tell you something I never told nobody before … Herbie Hide had me out on my feet. It was instinct. I never went down. But fatigue beat him. And because I had enough chance to maintain my composure. He was somewhat scared and leery that he burned himself out. But Herbie Hide is the hardest hitting guy I ever fought.”
Bowe locked horns with Hide back in March of 1995, defeating him via sixth round stoppage to capture the WBO heavyweight title. The Brit would go on to regain the WBO crown a few years later however when he stopped Tony Tucker in the second round of their showdown in Norwich, England.
Hide finished with a record of 49 wins and just four defeats, with 43 of those wins coming by knockout, illustrating his big power.
