Evander Holyfield has picked Riddick Bowe as the best opponent he faced in his career. The former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion made this choice in a recent interview with Ring Magazine, despite having fought other big names like Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis.
Holyfield's career was packed with achievements. He became the first boxer to be undisputed champion in both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. His resume includes wins over some of the sport's biggest names, including George Foreman, Larry Holmes, and Mike Tyson. He also had controversial results against Lennox Lewis, with a draw and a loss.
When asked about his toughest opponent, Holyfield said:
"I would say Bowe [was the best]. I had three fights with Bowe. He was very competitive, he was always going to be in shape when he fought me."
The rivalry between Holyfield and Bowe was one of the biggest stories in heavyweight boxing during the 1990s. Their first fight in November 1992 ended with Bowe winning by unanimous decision. It's still talked about as an instant classic.
A year later, Holyfield got his revenge with a majority decision win. That fight is famous for being interrupted by the 'Fan Man', a parachutist who crash-landed in the ring.
The final chapter of their trilogy came in November 1995. Bowe won by TKO in the eighth round, putting a definitive end to their series.
Bowe and Holyfield knew each other well before their pro fights. They had been sparring partners, and Bowe was an Olympic silver medalist. He was younger than Holyfield and physically imposing.
Many people thought Bowe had extreme potential as a boxer. But he's also criticized for not making the most of his talent. He skipped a fight with Lennox Lewis that could have been another classic.
Holyfield's career lasted until 2011, with his final fight coming at the age of 48. He retired officially in 2014 with a record of 44 wins, 10 losses, 2 draws and 1 no contest in 57 fights.
