Evander Holyfield picked Riddick Bowe as the best opponent he ever faced. The former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion shared his thoughts in an interview with The Ring Magazine.
Holyfield's career boasts an impressive list of achievements. He won Olympic bronze, became undisputed champion in two weight classes, and notched up wins against big names like Buster Douglas, Hasim Rahman, and Ray Mercer. He even stopped Mike Tyson in their first fight, finishing the job in the 11th round.
But when asked about his toughest opponent, Holyfield didn't hesitate. Speaking to The Ring Magazine for their 'The Best I Faced' feature, he said:
"I would say Bowe. I had three fights with Bowe. He was very competitive, he was always going to be in shape when he fought me."
Holyfield's respect for Bowe stems from their trilogy of fights. Each bout was fiercely contested, and Bowe consistently turned up in top form. This level of preparation and competitiveness left a lasting impression on Holyfield.
While Holyfield mentioned Dwight Muhammad Qawi as his second-best opponent, it's worth noting some of his other memorable fights. His bouts with Mike Tyson, for instance, are etched in boxing history. After stopping Tyson in their first meeting, the rematch ended in controversy when Tyson was disqualified for biting a chunk out of Holyfield's ear.
Holyfield's career is filled with both triumphs and setbacks. He suffered losses to fighters like Michael Moorer, Bowe himself, and Lennox Lewis. But his ability to bounce back and continue competing at the highest level cemented his legacy as one of boxing's greats.
For over 25 years, Holyfield held a unique distinction as the only boxer to become undisputed champion in both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. That changed recently when Oleksandr Usyk matched the feat, becoming undisputed heavyweight champion in May. Usyk had previously unified all cruiserweight titles in 2018.
Holyfield's choice of Bowe as his toughest opponent speaks volumes about both fighters. It's a testament to Bowe's skills and consistency, as well as Holyfield's ability to recognize and respect a worthy adversary.
