A fighter`s peak isn`t just determined by their physical abilities. Its also their mental attitude and focus, the total package. Bowe in 1992 was at his very best, as was Tyson in 1988. After these times Bowe and Tyson were still world class fighters, they just weren`t gonna be as good as they were in 1992 and 1988 respectively.
Bowe and Tyson should be judged by the same criteria as everyone else. If they take a fight before they are 30-35 years old or so, then they should be judged by the result of that fight. It is easier for me to believe that Bowe was not as good as everyone thought than it is for me to believe that the laws of aging affected him differently from the way they affect everyone else.
Defining a "peak" over a short period allows someone to throw out any
evidence that doesn't fit in with their prejudices. Thus, Tyson wasn't
found out by Douglas and Holyfield , he just "peaked" early. Bowe
wasn't humiliated by a good-to-medium heavyweight (Golota), he just
"peaked" at 25 rather than 30 like most heavyweights.
So I don't really like this argument. Using it, I could argue that
W. Klitschko was a great fighter in the late 90s, because he looked great
early on, but he unfortunately "peaked" at the point before he fought
anyone who was any good.
GREAT.
Simple as that. Bowe avoided him, throw out any qualms about Lewis not fighting Bowe...Riddick went as far as to embarrass himself and boxing by dumping that belt in the trash b/c he was so scared.
I always blamed Bowe for not facing Lewis, but the timeframe was so short, as Lennox was KTFO by a single shot from a journeyman, and took so many years to rebuild his reputation.
It also appeared to me at the end of the 6th round , that Lennox Lewis may have been turning the tide. Then you watch how he literally collapsed and nearly missed his stool in the corner. Right then it looked as though Lewis had virtually no chance to remain standing for another two rounds . That kind of exhaustion doesn't give way to a second wind.
I don't understand how people go about measuring when a boxer's "peak" is. In the case of Bowe, one has to define it as being over a very short period if one wants to believe that he was a great heavyweight.
The same argument is always made on Mike Tyson's behalf .