Riddick Bowe, the heavyweight boxing legend, has shared his thoughts on how current champion Oleksandr Usyk measures up against the iconic Evander Holyfield. Bowe's comparison comes as Usyk continues to make waves in the boxing world.
Usyk has made a name for himself as the current cruiserweight and undisputed heavyweight champion. He's accomplished this feat across all four major organizations, with his final heavyweight belt coming from a victory over Tyson Fury in May last year. Now, Usyk's got his sights set on becoming a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. His next step? A rematch with IBF champion Daniel Dubois, whom he beat via stoppage in August 2023.
Holyfield, on the other hand, was the last man to hold both the cruiserweight and undisputed heavyweight titles during the three-belt era. This achievement makes the comparison between Usyk and Holyfield particularly interesting.
Bowe and Holyfield have quite a history. They first faced off in Las Vegas in 1992, battling for the WBC, WBA, and IBF world titles. Bowe won that fight by unanimous decision. Their second encounter in 1993 saw Holyfield take the victory with a majority decision after 12 rounds. The third and final bout in 1995 ended with Holyfield being stopped for the first time in his career.
When asked about a hypothetical match between Usyk and a prime Holyfield, Bowe didn't mince words. In an interview with Truscholsports, he said:
"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."
Bowe's opinion is clear: Holyfield would come out on top. He believes the current heavyweight champions, including Usyk and Fury, aren't quite up to par with Holyfield's skills. Bowe even shared a personal experience, saying, "I was surprised with the left hook he knocked me down with."
It's worth noting that comparing fighters from different eras is always tricky. Each era brings its own challenges and styles. While Bowe's opinion carries weight due to his personal experience with Holyfield, the debate between past and present boxing greats will likely continue to spark discussion among fans and experts alike.
