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Riddick Lamont Bowe (born August 10, 1967, Brooklyn, New York) is an American boxer and former undisputed heavyweight champion. He is best remembered for his trilogy of fights with Evander Holyfield, and two brutal bouts with Andrew Golota.
Career
Bowe was born and raised in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, which at the time was one of New York's most infamous slums. The poverty was crushing which made growing up there tough, and no easier considering the prevalent violence and gang activity in the area. However, unlike fellow Brownsville product Mike Tyson, who became infamous for a violent temper, Bowe was known for a very genial and winning personality. This, along with his skill in handling the media, would help speed along his career as an adult.
Bowe had a successful amateur career, which included winning the prestigious New York Golden Gloves championship among other tournaments, (in 1984 at the age of 17 he knocked out opponent James Smith in just 4 seconds) and in the 1985 National Golden Gloves championship he lost to Ft. Worth Lt. Hvy. wt. Donald Stephens, and he also won the silver medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, stopped in 2 rounds by Lennox Lewis.
Bowe turned pro after his Olympic loss however his heart and dedication were brought into question. However highly regarded trainer Eddie Futch took on the job of developing Bowe as he saw the talent.
Bowe turned pro in March 1989, knocking out novice (but future #1 contender) Lionel Butler. His manager Rock Newman kept Bowe active, fighting 13 times in 1989, beating journeymen, the most notable being Garing Lane, who he beat twice. In September 1990 he made his first step up in class, fighting faded ex-champ Pinklon Thomas, who he dominated until Thomas was pulled out after 8 rounds. The following month he knocked out the dangerous Smokin' Bert Cooper in 2 rounds, which added to his reputation and high ranking. By the end of 1990 he had fought 8 times.
In March 1991 he overcame some rocky opening rounds to knockout the 1984 Olympic Super-Heavyweight Gold medallist Tyrell Biggs, however his image suffered when in his next fight, slick boxing ex-champ Tony Tubbs, whose own career had suffered with drugs and weight issues, appeared to outbox and outsmart Bowe, only to have the judges award Bowe with a unanimous decision that was jeered loudly by the crowd. In August 1991 he knocked out future champ Bruce Seldon in 1 round, and in July 1992 fought Pierre Coetzer in an eliminator, knocking out the durable South African in 7 rounds.
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