Riddick Bowe, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, has named Muhammad Ali as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. Bowe shared his opinion during a recent interview with Dr. Beau Hightower, reflecting on his personal admiration for Ali and the boxing legend's impact on his own career.
Bowe's boxing journey reached its peak in 1992 when he clinched the undisputed heavyweight title by defeating Evander Holyfield. This victory cemented his place among the top heavyweights of the past three decades. However, Bowe's career took a controversial turn when he gave up his WBC belt to avoid a fight with Lennox Lewis.
Despite his own achievements, Bowe didn't hesitate to put Ali on a pedestal above all other heavyweights. Ali's legendary status in boxing, with notable wins over George Foreman, Joe Frazier, and Sonny Liston, has solidified his place as one of the best boxers in history.
Bowe shared a touching personal encounter with Ali during a New York City Golden Gloves competition. He recalled:
"Ali was behind me, saying 'come on sucker'. I was getting annoyed because I didn't recognize the voice. When I turned around and saw it was Ali, I turned into a little girl, I cried, a couple tears came into my eyes."
The emotional meeting ended with a hug from Ali, leaving a lasting impact on Bowe. Fired up by the encounter, Bowe went on to knock out his opponent in just 24 seconds.
Ali's influence on Bowe extended beyond that single meeting. Bowe admitted, "If it wasn't for him, I'd probably be in the Marine Corps." This statement underscores how Ali's career inspired Bowe to pursue boxing.
In the interview with Dr. Hightower, Bowe's admiration for Ali shone through, demonstrating the lasting impact of Ali's legacy on the boxing world and on the careers of future champions like Bowe himself.
