'Big Daddy' Bowe's career is defined by his epic trilogy with Holyfield. He became the first man to defeat 'The Real Deal' in 1992, claiming the undisputed heavyweight championship. Holyfield got his revenge in 1993, winning back the WBA and IBF titles. Bowe settled the score in their trilogy bout in November 1995, cementing their rivalry as one of the greatest in heavyweight boxing history.
Given this history, Bowe's revelation about Hide comes as a shock. In the interview, he said:
"You're not going to believe this [but] I would have to say Herbie Hide. … He hit me and I thought, "Oh s—. I can't allow this guy to hit me again because I don't know what I'll see next." Initially I was trying to box him and he was real fast. I said I can't box him because he got me beat, so I fought him."
Bowe faced Hide in Las Vegas in 1995 for the WBO heavyweight title. Despite the power he felt from Hide's punches, Bowe managed to knock out the British fighter in the sixth round. This victory marked the start of Bowe's final reign as world champion, which he followed up with a title defense against Jorge Luiz Gonzalez several months later.
Hide, known as 'The Dancing Destroyer', was a popular figure in British boxing during the 1990s. He held the WBO heavyweight title twice in his career and was known for his explosive speed and aggressive style. Hide's career record shows 49 wins from 53 fights, with an impressive 43 of those victories coming by knockout.
Bowe's acknowledgment of Hide's power adds an interesting footnote to both men's careers. It shows that even in a career filled with high-profile fights against legendary opponents, sometimes it's the unexpected moments that leave the strongest impression.