By Mark Vester

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe (42-1-0, 33 KOs), 39, has officially announced his return to the ring. Bowe will face Rocky Phillips (21-14-0, 19 KOs) at Sports of All Sorts in Florence, Cincinnati. The event is called "Bombs Away: The Explosion by the River."

Th former champ has not fought since April 2005, when he won a controversial split decision over Billy Zumbrun. Over the past ten-years, Bowe has fought legal problems inside and outside of the ring. Several state commissions are hesitant to grant him a license because he's displayed physical signs of possible brain damage.

After Terence Crawford Feud, Are Sanctioning Bodies Bad For Boxing?

In today’s episode, the crew breaks down one of boxing’s biggest debates after Terence Crawford went on his Instagram to complain about the WBC. Are sanctioning bodies simply part of the game, or have they completely lost control of the sport? We also take a hard look at the Ring title and ask whether it can still be considered legitimate if champions are not required to defend it.

Thursday | Dec 4, 2025

A few years ago on HBO's boxing series called "Legendary Nights," there was a some focus being made on Bowe's slurring speech and physical mannerisms, which may or may not have been caused by the trilogy war with Evander Holyfield. And, during his trial for the 1999 kidnapping of his ex-wife and children, Bowe's lawyers argued that he was suffering from brain damage from his years in the ring. Bowe would later claim it was nothing more than a legal ploy.

According to report in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Bowe plans to have ten fights in ten months, and then go after a world title. 

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com