Heavyweight legend Riddick Bowe has compared current boxing great Oleksandr Usyk with the legendary Evander Holyfield.
Holyfield was the last man to be both the cruiserweight and then undisputed heavyweight champion, though that was during the three-belt era. That is a feat Usyk repeated across all four major organisations back in May last year whetbon he beat Tyson Fury to collect the final belt in the banner division having done the same down at 200lbs.
Bowe fought Holyfield for the first time in Las Vegas in 1992 in a then-undisputed fight for the WBC, WBA and IBF world titles. It was competitive throughout but ‘Big Daddy’ picked up the win with a unanimous decision on the scorecards.
The second fight in 1993 was a majority decision for Holyfield after 12 rounds, while the third and final contest in 1995 saw Holyfield stopped for the first time in his career.
Speaking to Truscholsports, Bowe shared his thoughts on how his old foe would fare against Usyk.
“There is no comparison. Evander Holyfield. See how small he is, if you matched him with either one of them [Usyk or Fury] what do you think would happen? You’d favour Holyfield, why, because they’re not rolling, the big men aren’t doing any of that.
Holyfield, he’ll find you with something, probably the left hook and he’d knock you out with it. I was surprised with the left hook he knocked me down with.”
Usyk has stated one of his last remaining motivations is to become two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. In order to accomplish that feat he would have to beat current IBF champion Daniel Dubois for a second time having already beaten him via stoppage back in August 2023.
