After winning the undisputed heavyweight championship from Evander Holyfield on November 13, 1992, Riddick Bowe threw the WBC belt in the trash can a few weeks later. That title was handed to Lennox Lewis, and the heavyweight crown was fragmented again.
Bowe returned to action on February 6, 1993 at Madison Square Garden in New York to take on the shopworn Michael Dokes. Dokes had been through a life of drug abuse, and was an easy opponent for Bowe, who knocked him out in one round. Most champions get a ‘gimme’ title defense, and this was Riddick’s.
Four months later, the champ traveled to RFK stadium in Washington, D.C., with Jesse Ferguson the challenger this time. I watched it on HBO, and Bowe easily disposed of Ferguson in two. Riddick looked all the part of a heavyweight champion, and seemed more confident each time out.
Evander Holyfield also defeated Alex Stewart in June of 1993, setting up the rematch with Bowe in November. Both seemed made for each other, and when the fall came, I’d be paying for this one, no doubt.
The rematch was set for November 6 at the outdoor arena at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. At the weigh in, Evander tipped the scales at a muscular 217 lbs., and the difference in him was obvious. Riddick looked bigger at 246 lbs., but at 6′ 5″, he could carry the extra weight.
Bowe started off strong, winning the first few rounds. Evander fought back however, and after six rounds, it was pretty even. What happened next, no one could have predicted in a million years.
In the seventh round, out of nowhere, some crackpot wearing a fan-powered parachute, crashed into the ring. As both fighters moved away in amazement, security rushed the lunatic with the parachute, and took him away. After a 21 minute delay, action resumed, and fortunately no one was hurt.
The fight was back and forth after resuming, with both guys trying to take the lead. Evander was much stronger than in the first bout, and rocked Bowe more than once down the stretch. When the bell rang to end the twelfth round, I knew the cards were close. A razor thin split decision was awarded to Evander, and I was thrilled to say the least. Bowe was very gracious in defeat, but the ‘Real Deal’ was now a two-time champion of the world.
I was impressed by how nice Riddick was after the loss, telling the victor “Enjoy this Evander.” As young and as talented Bowe was, there was no doubt in my mind that he’d be back on top before long. His likeable personality made him a refreshing face of boxing, compared to the grumps and punks that always seemed to be around. As far as what he did next, only time would tell
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