Riddick Bowe

Hall of Fame

⭐ International Boxing Hall of Fame

Riddick Lamont Bowe was born on August 10, 1967, in the East New York section of Brooklyn, one of 13 children in a family that knew severe poverty. Despite the chaos of his early life, Bowe channeled his energy into boxing and developed into one of the most physically gifted heavyweights in the history of the sport. He represented the United States at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, where he reached the super heavyweight final but lost a controversial decision to future champion Lennox Lewis. He turned professional in 1989 and built a devastating record. On November 13, 1992, Bowe defeated the undefeated Evander Holyfield by unanimous decision to claim the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles — one of the most celebrated heavyweight bouts of the decade. He and Holyfield fought three memorable times in total, with Bowe winning the first and third bouts (including the infamous "Fan Man" fight in 1993 when a paraglider flew into the ring) and Holyfield winning the second. Bowe won the WBO title in a fourth world title reign in 1995, becoming a three-time heavyweight champion. Many boxing historians consider him one of the most talented heavyweights to ever lace up gloves — a rare combination of size, hand speed, chin, and power. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.