Is Riddick Bowe's victory over prime Holyfield better than any Tyson victory?

Recently rewatched Bowe/Holyfield 1...what a classic bout. Evander one of my favorites, and even though he clearly lost this fight big time, him showing a lot of heart really puts this fight over the top for me. And with Tyson vs RJJ exhibition coming soon, I was just thinking about how great Bowe's victory was and wondering if Tyson ever did anything as great as what Bowe did that night. Let's reflect. Holyfield would clear out the cruiserweight division and end up being the GOAT in that division. Undefeated. He moves up to heavyweight and becomes undisputed champion by defeating an overweight, unmotivated Douglas. A lot of people said Holyfield wasn't the true champ because he didn't fight Tyson. However, his victories over ancient Holmes and Foreman showed that he was actually a legit heavyweight. Still undefeated and was never knocked down in this point. He was still fairly young (30) and undefeated and Bowe clearly decisively beats him over 12 rounds. I'll be honest, I don't think any version of Tyson could have stopped Bowe that night. I've never seen Tyson ever beat an ATG in his prime. We say Bowe was an underachiever (rightfully so), but this has to be one of the best victories a heavyweight could get, as Tyson never came close.

Comments (13)

Roadblock

Spinks was a LH just too small. The version of Bowe that beat Holyfield would have stopped Tyson.

5y ago

LeOoze

Michael Spink's when he was obliterated by Mike Tyson? 'Was a Olympic Gold Medalist, Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion and the man that ended Larry Holmes's Heavyweight reign by beating him twice'. Evander Holyfield was not really considered a all-time great heavyweight during the time of the first Riddick Bowe fight etc I don't think Evander Holyfield was at his peak, during the first Riddick Bowe fight 'Holyfield's peak was during the second Bowe fight, he was stronger and tactically more astute. Note: When evaluating all of these statistics, I honestly don't think Riddick Bowe's win over Holyfield 'Was a greater win than Mike Tyson's victory over Michael Spinks'. His win over Michael Spinks is very good. And I mentioned earlier, Spinks beating Holmes two times shows that he had the skills for heavyweight. That being said, it's not like Spinks is a great heavyweight, his legacy is 90% him being arguably the greatest light heavyweight ever. Even though Holyfield wasn't known as an ATG at the time when him and Bowe first fought, over the years he's been accepted as a top 10-20 ATG heavy, which makes Bowe's victory even better in hindsight.

5y ago

Toffee

Tyson lost against guys who believed they could beat him. I think any version of Holyfield had enough belief to fck with Tyson's head and beat him. I'd put Bowe's win over Holyfield ahead of Tyson's win over Spinks. Bowe beat a prime champion who came to win. Tyson beat a guy who was never a great heavyweight champion and just wanted out. Good win, not great.

5y ago

Mitchell_Kane

Maybe ... but that version of Holyfield weighed 205 pounds and was prone to getting into slugfests with opponents like Foreman, Cooper and Bowe. It took that loss to convince Holyfield to change. I wouldn’t favor that Holyfield over pre-prison Tyson.

5y ago

PRINCEKOOL

It's definitely Mike's signature win. But I don't think it's a better W than Bowe's. Michael Spinks, although he proved to himself he could be a legit heavyweight, wasn't really an all time great heavyweight. Evander is easily a top 10 ATG HW so Bowe beating him while he was in his prime and undefeated makes it better in my opinion. Michael Spink's when he was obliterated by Mike Tyson? 'Was a Olympic Gold Medalist, Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion and the man that ended Larry Holmes's Heavyweight reign by beating him twice'. Evander Holyfield was not really considered a all-time great heavyweight during the time of the first Riddick Bowe fight etc I don't think Evander Holyfield was at his peak, during the first Riddick Bowe fight 'Holyfield's peak was during the second Bowe fight, he was stronger and tactically more astute. Note: When evaluating all of these statistics, I honestly don't think Riddick Bowe's win over Holyfield 'Was a greater win than Mike Tyson's victory over Michael Spinks'.

5y ago

Zaroku

ANY tyson victory. Including pre prison. Before Cus D'Amato died he was a beast.. losing people close to you can have a huge impact.. I don’t know? I’m not Tyson but he got ****ed over outta the ring bad.

5y ago

LeOoze

Tyson after prison ... or pre prison ANY tyson victory. Including pre prison.

5y ago

Zaroku

Tyson after prison ... or pre prison

5y ago

LeOoze

Yea, probably. I think you could make an argument Spinks was a bigger W, but I personally wouldn't make it. And notably in retrospect Tyson decimated not only Spinks, but his legacy to most fans hardcore or otherwise it would seem so its a harder argument to push cuz of the result despite what Spinks did previous to the fight. It's definitely Mike's signature win. But I don't think it's a better W than Bowe's. Michael Spinks, although he proved to himself he could be a legit heavyweight, wasn't really an all time great heavyweight. Evander is easily a top 10 ATG HW so Bowe beating him while he was in his prime and undefeated makes it better in my opinion.

5y ago

boliodogs

I think it is better than any Tyson win, Tyson never beat anyone as good as Holyfield and Holyfield stopped the younger Tyson twice. Tyson was a front runner and had some quit in him. He was good but overrated by many in my opinion.

5y ago

musiol

Both fighters lost their prime that night Bowe got fat Holyfield OST a step in his feet and speed with hands

5y ago

PRINCEKOOL

Mike Tyson beats Riddick Bowe 'It would be similar to Tyson vs Ruddock'. I don't think Tyson would have a hard time finding the target. Bowe is going to fight the type of fight which Mike Tyson wants 'He has never fought on the back foot, tied fighters up and stuck to a astringent game-plan' which was needed to beat a peak Mike Tyson, or even a Mike Tyson from the early to mid-90's etc.

5y ago

Thaim

Quite possibly so.

5y ago