Evander Holyfield thinks Riddick Bowe would beat Mike Tyson if they fought in their prime. The former heavyweight champ shared his opinion in a recent chat with The Ring Magazine.
Holyfield knows a thing or two about both fighters. He's gone toe-to-toe with them in the ring. His career spans nearly three decades, with his last fight against Brian Nielsen in May 2011. He hung up his gloves that year after 57 fights, including 10 losses.
"The Real Deal" Holyfield made his mark in boxing history. He became the undisputed world cruiserweight champion in 1988 by defeating Carlos De Leon. Two years later, he claimed the undisputed heavyweight title from James 'Buster' Douglas, snagging the WBC, WBA, and IBF belts.
When asked who he thought was the better fighter between Bowe and Tyson, Holyfield didn't hesitate:
"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 resume boasts victories over boxing legends like George Foreman, Riddick Bowe, and Mike Tyson. His experience in the ring with both Bowe and Tyson gives weight to his opinion.
For years, Holyfield held the distinction of being the only boxer to become undisputed champion in both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. This record stood until May 2022 when Oleksandr Usyk outpointed Tyson Fury in Riyadh to claim all four world heavyweight titles, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the 'four belt era'.
Holyfield's take on this hypothetical matchup between Bowe and Tyson adds an interesting perspective to ongoing debates among boxing fans. His firsthand experience with both fighters provides a unique insight into their strengths and capabilities in the ring.
