Riddick Bowe's big flop in Thai kickboxing

Judging by the picture, Riddick did not look in Championship shape, as in. it is doubtful that he spent many hours in the gym preparing or doing road work to run off his extra weight.  When he was an active fighter,  his aversion to training was what stood in the way of his becoming one of the great heavyweight champions. At least according to Eddy Futch, his trainer. 

Eddie Futch in 1992 said that Riddick Bowe had more God given talent than ANYONE he ever trained. Eddie Futch ALSO trained "Smokin" Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes and Ken Norton. Eddie truly believed that Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe had them all beat in terms of God given talent.  Scan ahead 21 years and we see Riddick performing in the kick boxing ring lke in pro wrestling.  It is sad to see an old fighter selling his name, expected to lose while enhancing the other guy's record...

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June 14, 2013



(Photo: Apichart Weerawong, AP)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Bowe beat Evander Holyfield in 1992 to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion
Bowe's last boxing fight was in 2008

Bowe, who tried Muay Thai because he was bored with retirement and needed cash, made $150,000

PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) — Wincing in pain and clutching his shins, Riddick Bowe ended his debut in Thai kickboxing with a thud in the second round.
The 45-year-old former world heavyweight boxing champion came to a rude awakening on Friday that Muay Thai is just as punishing.

"It's much harder than boxing," Bowe said after limping out of the ring.

Bowe took a big beating from his 30-year-old Russian opponent Levgen Golovin, who assaulted the former champion with repeated kicks to the shins.

Bowe lost his balance and fell five times before the bout was ended by technical knockout after his last fall.

"You can recover from a head shot or a body shot, but when you get kicked in the leg it lasts a long time," he said. "My leg is still hurting. I don't know how long it's been — 15 minutes?"

Bowe's last boxing match was in 2008. He says he decided to try Muay Thai because he was bored with retirement and needs the cash.

He made $150,000 from Friday's fight, organized by Thai promoters trying to increase the international appeal of Thailand's national sport. The bout was held at an outdoor ring set up beside the beach in Pattaya, a Thai town best known for its seaside red-light district.

Weighing 300 pounds, Bowe was heavy and slow and barely landed a punch in Friday's fight.
 

PHOTOS: BOWE'S KICKBOXING DEBUT LANDS WITH A THUD

Former heavyweight boxing champion Riddick Bowe was knocked down by Levgen Golovin during their World Muay Thai fight in Pattaya, Thailand. Golovin won the bout in a second-round knockout by kicking on the leg. Apichart Weerawong, AP





Source:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/boxing/2013/06/14/riddick-bowe--big-flop-in-thai-kickboxing/2423929/