Riddick Bowe
Heavyweight Champion, Trilogy with Evander Holyfield
The Big Daddy Leo
Riddick Bowe is the only heavyweight champion to ever throw the WBC belt in a trash can — because he refused to defend against Lennox Lewis. His trilogy with Evander Holyfield produced some of the greatest heavyweight bouts in the sport’s history. Bowe at his peak was unmatchable: 6’5″, 240 pounds, with the fastest hands in the heavyweight division.
Leo Legacy
- Undisputed Champion: Unified WBA, WBC, IBF belts by beating Holyfield in 1992
- Holyfield trilogy: Three of the most competitive heavyweight fights in boxing history
- WBC trash can: Threw the WBC belt away rather than fight mandatory challenger Lennox Lewis
- Olympic Silver: 1988 Seoul Olympics — silver medal lost to Lennox Lewis
Bowe’s Leo pride was his greatest strength and greatest weakness — he would not yield to anyone.
“I’m the best. I always was. The world just didn’t know it yet.”