Would you vote Riddick Bowe into the Hall of Fame

[quintonjacksonfan]

He probably should get in based on his 42-1 record He also was the first fighter to beat and KO Holyfield

[LogDog69]

Well he was an undisputed heavyweight champion, although not for very long. He was damn good and didn't live up to his full potential. I don't think his achievments are any better than say someone like Michael Moorer and I wouldn't consider Moorer for the Hall of Fame. :think

[Loufatski]

He probably should get in based on his 42-1 record He also was the first fighter to beat and KO Holyfield

No way. Golota made him look like he had no business boxing, not once, but twice.

[Muchmoore]

No way. Golota made him look like he had no business boxing, not once, but twice.

Bowe was ruined at that point.

[janitor]

If you did then it would be on the same basis that Johansen was inducted.

That he participated in one of the greatest trilogies of all time regardless of his record outside that.

[Muchmoore]

If you did then it would be on the same basis that Johansen was inducted.

That he participated in one of the greatest trilogies of all time regardless of his record outside that.

Well the difference between him and Ingo is that he won his trilogy and Holyfield was a better fighter than Patterson. Bowe is more deserving than Ingo and probably Norton too.

[janitor]

Well the difference between him and Ingo is that he won his trilogy and Holyfield was a better fighter than Patterson. Bowe is more deserving than Ingo and probably Norton too.

Mmmm Yes.

But his claim is based on a similar logic to theirs.

[mcvey]

If you did then it would be on the same basis that Johansen was inducted.

That he participated in one of the greatest trilogies of all time regardless of his record outside that.
Well if Ingo can make it-------.Its pretty meaningless now anyway,it used to be reserved for truly great fighters ,now just about anyone gets a llok in,Gatti and Ward will probably make it,they would make my Warriors HOF,but too many average to good Champs are in now.

[Russell]

Oh, he could of been HOF material easily.

Now it's highly questionable, which is sad.

[Mendoza]

It seems like the past linear heavyweight champions are all in the hall of fame. Bowe was one of the better champion’s ability wise, so he should get after he retires. Yes, I would vote for Bowe. He would not likely be the best of the 6 or 7 men inducted, but he has done enough to make the cut.

[Sonny Carson]

Yes I would.

[Ted Stickles]

Bowe is like Tyson which is they are both" Could have beens".....Tyson could have been an unquestionable all time great in the top 5 of all time, and Bowe due to his lazy habits and ducking of Lewis(yes he did) tarnishes him as well.He beat Holyfield which is by no means a bad mark on the resume but otherwise he just seemed to waste what God gave him..

[Dempsey1238]

He get in. But I dont think he EARN to be in the hall imo. Outside of the 3 wars with Holyfiled, I cant think of what else he did.

[Bad_Intentions]

ummmm....this is hard.

[redrooster]

:good from me.

[C. M. Clay II]

This is a stupid question. Of course he should be in the Hall of Fame. If Jess Willard and James J. Braddock get in, then it would be highway robbery if Bowe doesn't.:good

[ripcity]

He would get my vote.

[Dostoevsky]

Of course.

If Jess Willard, James J. Braddock, Barry Mcguigan and Ken Norton get in then Bowe should get in without a doubt.

Personally if I controlled the IBHOF I would make sure it was a hall of fame for the true 'elites' of the sport, entry to the hall would be far far stricter.
And the aforementioned names would not be inducted.

[fists of fury]

This is a stupid question. Of course he should be in the Hall of Fame. If Jess Willard and James J. Braddock get in, then it would be highway robbery if Bowe doesn't.:good

Good point.

[Doppleganger]

He should get in based on others who are in but IMO the credibility of the HoF has long since been tarnished.

[JohnThomas1]

He should get in based on others who are in but IMO the credibility of the HoF has long since been tarnished.

Yeah, i'm not sure i could put in a guy who threw his belt in the bin to avoid fighting someone. Not the antics of a HOF'er maybe.

[Duodenum]

Not before Carnera. Big Duddy should be inducted into the same class as Beanfart and Mia St. John (Hefner could give the presentation speech for St. John, either Hugh or Christie).

[cpnasty]

Yes

[Rattler]

Yes.

Unless I get the opportunity to reshuffle the Hall of Fame and release it's worst members from their enshrinement. Then I can bring the overall measure of the HOF up.

As it is, Bowe qualifies by the standard the HOF has mistakenly set over these many years.

[mr. magoo]

Not before Carnera. Big Duddy should be inducted into the same class as Beanfart and Mia St. John (Hefner could give the presentation speech for St. John, either Hugh or Christie).

Well, I don't know if I'd insult him that badly by placing him in the same class as old Beanfart. Afterall, he did have some noteable accomplishments. Taking two out of three against Evander, when Holy still had a lot of juice left in him. Plus he had some pretty decent wins over prime prospects such as Hide, Donald, Gonzales, Seldon, and Coetzer. The negatives of course, is that he never faced a lot of the top heavys of his era, Lewis, Moorer, Tyson, Foreman, Morrison, Ruddock, Mercer, etc. As John Thomas already pointed, he publicly refused to face Lewis, and in so doing disgarded the WBC title in a most disrespectful manner. I don't hold the Golata performances against him so much, as I believe part of that was due to Golata's terrible display of poor sportsmanship that evening. We also can't begrudge a good fighter because one guy had his number in some 45 pro fights. I guess my biggest criticism is what I've already touched upon, and that was his failure to meet some of the best of his period.

That said, I suppose he deserves an induction, but just barely.

[Duodenum]

Well, I don't know if I'd insult him that badly by placing him in the same class as old Beanfart. Afterall, he did have some noteable accomplishments. Taking two out of three against Evander, when Holy still had a lot of juice left in him. Plus he had some pretty decent wins over prime prospects such as Hide, Donald, Gonzales, Seldon, and Coetzer. The negatives of course, is that he never faced a lot of the top heavys of his era, Lewis, Moorer, Tyson, Foreman, Morrison, Ruddock, Mercer, etc. As John Thomas already pointed, he publicly refused to face Lewis, and in so doing disgarded the WBC title in a most disrespectful manner. I don't hold the Golata performances against him so much, as I believe part of that was due to Golata's terrible display of poor sportsmanship that evening. We also can't begrudge a good fighter because one guy had his number in some 45 pro fights. I guess my biggest criticism is what I've already touched upon, and that was his failure to meet some of the best of his period.

That said, I suppose he deserves an induction, but just barely.Okay, he should be inducted before Beanfart, but not before Carnera. (Primo put the title up three times within a year, and won his first two defenses against conquerors of Max Baer. Between 1910 and 1938, Carnera was the only HW Champion to defend thrice in such a brief period.)

Bowe in effect admitted at the press conference following the rubber match with Holyfield that he was elevated by that rivalry alone, and the nature of character that Holyfield outwardly displayed. That symbolic gesture with the WBC belt gives me very serious pause for thought. (In my mind, much of the HOF worthiness of Tommy Burns and Floyd Patterson is invested in the fact of who they chose to defend their titles against in losing them.)

It could be argued that defending the title in a rematch with the former champion was honorable on Bowe's part, as it was for Leon Spinks against Ali, but Leon didn't make a demonstration of open mockery for the WBC Title that Bowe did.

[mr. magoo]

[quote=Duodenum]Okay, he should be inducted before Beanfart, but not before Carnera. (Primo put the title up three times within a year, and won his first two defenses against conquerors of Max Baer. Between 1910 and 1938, Carnera was the only HW Champion to defend thrice in such a brief period.)


Good points. Carnera at least met the very best of his era, which is my big problem with Bowe. He didn't. Primo fought Sharkey, Baer, Louis and numerous other good fighters. Riddick never shared the same ring with Lewis, Moorer, Tyson, Mercer, Foreman, Ruddock and Morrison. That accounts for probably 80% of the talent during his period. Originally, I said earlier in this thread that Bowe deserved passage into the hall of fame, but I'm already starting to reconsider. In order for a champion to gain recognition as an ATG, he has to at least face all or most of the best fighters of his era. Bowe left way too many question marks in my opinion.

[crippet]

If Bowe get in the hof then so should Buster Douglas.

They both had a prime of 1 fight each!

[teeto]

Bowe is like Tyson which is they are both" Could have beens".....Tyson could have been an unquestionable all time great in the top 5 of all time, and Bowe due to his lazy habits and ducking of Lewis(yes he did) tarnishes him as well.He beat Holyfield which is by no means a bad mark on the resume but otherwise he just seemed to waste what God gave him..
Your right here to an extent , Tyson still did more than Bowe though

[Titan1]

He probably should get in based on his 42-1 record He also was the first fighter to beat and KO Holyfield

Personally, hell no, but this is a different era, so he'll sneak in.

[godking]

Bowe is like Tyson which is they are both" Could have beens".....Tyson could have been an unquestionable all time great in the top 5 of all time, and Bowe due to his lazy habits and ducking of Lewis(yes he did) tarnishes him as well.He beat Holyfield which is by no means a bad mark on the resume but otherwise he just seemed to waste what God gave him..Tyson did more then Bowe did and did enough in his first reign to be a legit top 10 HW.

Tyson unified the titles Bowe BROKE UP the titles.

Tyson ducked nobody during his first reign Bowe clearly ducked Lewis

Bowe is a could have been and close to a never was

Tyson achieved most out of his talent .

Bowe is in the HOF barely because he won the Holyfield trilogy.

[JohnThomas1]

Tyson did more then Bowe did and did enough in his first reign to be a legit top 10 HW.

Tyson unified the titles Bowe BROKE UP the titles.

Tyson ducked nobody during his first reign Bowe clearly ducked Lewis

Bowe is a could have been and close to a never was

Tyson achieved most out of his talent .

Bowe is in the HOF barely because he won the Holyfield trilogy.

:good

[Dempsey1238]

Well if Ingo can make it-------.Its pretty meaningless now anyway,it used to be reserved for truly great fighters ,now just about anyone gets a llok in,Gatti and Ward will probably make it,they would make my Warriors HOF,but too many average to good Champs are in now.

Tell that to the great Mike McTige who STILL is not in the HOF.

[crippet]

Bowe should have his very own HOF trashcan which he could hide in at his inductance

[Stevie G]

If you did then it would be on the same basis that Johansen was inducted.

That he participated in one of the greatest trilogies of all time regardless of his record outside that.
That sums it up,for me. He had the potential to become an all time great,but never fulfilled it.

[RockyJim]

Aaaaaaaa....no......

[Big Ukrainian]

I'd vote for Bowe. He's definitely a HOF'er.
Look, Bary McGuigan and some others are already HOF Members and their achievements aren't better than Bowe's.

[crippet]

I'd vote for Bowe. He's definitely a HOF'er.
Look, Bary McGuigan and some others are already HOF Members and their achievements aren't better than Bowe's.

If Bowe is disrespectful enough to throw a belt in the garbage, a belt which the likes of Ali and Frazier nearly died trying to obtain, I dont see how he can possibly be allowed to enter any hall of fame.
He's better of sticking to his yard sales, what you reap you shall sow.......

[Threetime no1]

Yeah 'Big Daddy' gets my vote. No doubt there is less deserving people in there.
He could of done more with his career, no doubt, but he was a fantastic heavy.
He could definitley be undisputed champ in this era.

[Threetime no1]

That sums it up,for me. He had the potential to become an all time great,but never fulfilled it.
Fair enough, but the HOF and ATG are two different things.

[DKD]

Bowe failed to deliver on his potential big time.

I wouldn't let him in, however lesser fighters than Bowe have already been inducted, so why not?

[mcvey]

He probably should get in based on his 42-1 record He also was the first fighter to beat and KO Holyfield
Why not? There's more in it than out of it.

[heerko koois]

yes...has he ever been knocked down ?

[techks]

I think the "If Barry is in" rule tarnishes the Hall even more. I don't think it's fair to get rid of some unworthy guys when have already been inducted but the Hall has been messed up for many years. Honestly Bowe probably did enough to get in but if the rules were more strict, he and guys like Norton & Barry would not get in. HOF doesn't mean anything anymore unless you're a true ATG. I say no to him & the above but that's just me and my purist side taking over.

[techks]

yes...has he ever been knocked down ?

Holyfield dropped him with a left hook in the third fight. I forget which round.

[heerko koois]

Holyfield dropped him with a left hook in the third fight. I forget which round.
thanks ..did not know that

[techks]

thanks ..did not know that

It was at Rd 6. Go to 6:38. First time Bowe was dropped.

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[MRBILL]

Bowe should be inducted---BARELY!!!

I'd vote "Yes" is suppose...:deal

MR.BILL:hey

[apollack]

Holy dropped Bowe with a beautiful short left hook. Riddick was badly hurt, but Holy did not have the energy to finish him owing to his constant loading up in that fight, plus Bowe actually performed decently on the ropes, and had a ton of heart (as proven in the Golota bouts as well), and Bowe was in good shape. Bowe's conditioning and consistency gave Holy trouble in the first and third fights. Holy liked to burst and then take a break, but Bowe just continually plugged away with solid shots and did not allow him to rest. He did nice work to the body and head. Even the second fight was very close and might not have gone the way it did had it not been for the fan man giving Holy a 20-minute rest. Had to throw that out there. Bowe beat a lot of top contenders even after he lost the title, several of whom were undefeated.

[hussleman]

Yes, an undisputed champ and two time overall champ with his only loss coming from Holyfield in a tight fight.

[heerko koois]

:thumbsupIt was at Rd 6. Go to 6:38. First time Bowe was dropped.

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[Blood Green]

no

[redrooster]

He probably should get in based on his 42-1 record He also was the first fighter to beat and KO Holyfield

absolutely. He beat the third ranked heavyweight of all time according to Steve Farhood

[left right left]

It was at Rd 6. Go to 6:38. First time Bowe was dropped.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]
If you'll notice, it was the first left hook at 6:46 that really f'ed up Bowe.. the second one at 6:52 dropped him.

Yes, Bowe should be in the HOF. Out of the thousands and thousands that boxed during his era (all weight classes) Bowe made quite a name in the game.

[kmcc505]

I think clearly yes.

[kmac]

yes, he should get in. i know people hate when this is brought up but if mcguigan made it...

[kolcade4]

???? i LOVED HIS WARS WITH hOLY, HE SHOWED THE HEART OF hOLMES

[anarci]

At first i though maybe hes borderline... But then i realized some of the other heavys that are in there... And no its a definite yes... His prime was short but, just based on his triology with Holyfield and being the top dog at hw for a few years is more impressive than Johansen resume... Theres even some other heavys in there that are not as deserving as Bowe... Schmeling beat Louis and had some good wins,but he also had some glaring losses to non greats and just decent guys.. Bowe is greater than those guys and Jack Sharkey and a few others too... Hes definitely not a first ballot HOF but i think he should make it in the next 10 or 15 years... He would have kod Norton too. HTH theres not too many HW id pick to beat a prime Bowe.

[Vince Voltage]

Yes, he deserves it. People worship Holyfield as an ATG and Bowe beat him two out of three, arguably three out of three.

Yes, Golota pounded him twice, but Riddick still won. He hung in, hurt Golota, made him quit.

The fact that Riddick was washed up early is something I don't think he could control. My guess is that there was some neurological damage that did it. I know that he blew up between fights, but was usually in shape come fight time.

If Johanson, Ken Norton, and Ray Manicini are in the hall, then Riddick surely deserves it too.

[anarci]

If Johanson, Ken Norton, and Ray Manicini are in the hall, then Riddick surely deserves it too.

Ray Mancini isnt in the Hall.