RIDDICK BOWE is the latest heavyweight legend to throw his name into the Mike Tyson sweepstake.
With Iron Mike still planning to make a sensational comeback for charity aged 54, he has been inundated with challengers – young and old.
And Bowe, 52, was no different, as he told SunSport: “It’s official. Actually, let me put it this way: I am officially back and want to and will fight.
“I am very excited I want to fight Mike now… I will fight him any day of the week – whether it’s an exhibition, or even a pro fight.”
Here SunSport details how the two heavy-hitters compare as they prepare to fight well past their primes – with a combined age of 106.
MIKE TYSON
Tyson retired in 2005, following back to back losses, against Danny Williams and then Kevin McBride.
The youngest heavyweight champ of all time was a shadow of himself, so much so in both defeats he sat on the seat of his pants and waited to be counted out.
In his years in retirement, Tyson overcame a battle with substance abuse and depression to become a successful cannabis farm owner as well as hosting his own popular podcast.
But the reformed Baddest Man on The Planet found the inspiration to start training again, and quickly announced a comeback – insisting he is back to his most destructive self.
He said: “I feel unstoppable now. I feel the same again. The gods of war ignited my ego and want me to go to war again.”
Tyson has spent the last three months training under MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro, dramatically transforming his body to get down to just under 17st.
It’s clear the legendary puncher stills possesses the destructive speed and power that won him the belt aged 20, with recent videos on the pads proving so.
But being fit to train and fit to fight are two completely different things – as explained by the man himself after his final loss.
Tyson said after being stopped against McBride: “I realised, I don’t think I have it anymore. I got the ability to stay in shape, but I don’t have the ability to fight anymore.”
Despite the harsh reality, Tyson is adamant he is in the shape of his life, and ready to turn back the clock.
He explained: “Six weeks of this and I’d be in the best shape I’ve ever dreamed of being in. As a matter of fact, I’m going through that process right now.”
RIDDICK BOWE
Bowe shot to heavyweight stardom in 1992, during the time former school mate Tyson was in prison, as he beat Evander Holyfield for the unified titles.
He would make two defences before losing to Holyfield in the rematch – the first and only time he tasted defeat.
Bowe beat Herbie Hide for the WBO belt in 1995 and settled the score with Holyfield the same year, emerging as the victor in their trilogy.
He beat Andrew Golota twice by disqualification before retiring in 1996.
Boxing fans were robbed of a Lennox Lewis vs Bowe grudge match after a money dispute between the pair.
Bowe, who was stopped by Lewis in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, infamously binned his WBC title to avoid facing Lewis.
The heavyweight did return in 2004 beating Marcus Rhode and then laboured to a split decision win against journeyman Billy Zumbrun a year later.
After declaring bankruptcy in 2005, Bowe made another comeback in 2008 on Wladimir Klitschko’s undercard and despite a points verdict over Gene Pukall in Germany, Bowe would not box again.
He did, however, make a shock kickboxing debut in 2013, losing to Russian Yevgeniy Golovin in Thailand, his last ever fight.
FIGHT OUTCOME
Even if the exhibition bout is contested over three or four rounds, it will likely be decided by who is the fitter between the pair.
And regardless of Bowe’s ill-fated kickboxing debut seven years ago, Tyson has been the more active in the gym of late.
The youngest heavyweight champ of all time has trimmed down and found a degree of hand speed again, with his power likely not to have left him.
Bowe on the other hand would have a fight on his hands to first lose the pounds.
But if he was to do so, he would need to use his height and reach advantage to keep Tyson at bay, who will instead be bobbing and weaving to get inside and land a pair of trademark uppercuts and hooks.
