Riddick Bowe (born August 10, 1967) is a former boxer who, just like Mike Tyson, was involved in many controversial fights of the 1990s.

Riddick Bowe timeline

  • August 10, 1967: Born in Brooklyn, New York
  • 1988: Loses to Lennox Lewis for the Olympic gold medal in Seoul.
  • March 7, 1989: Debuts as a professional, beating Lionel Butler
  • July 8, 1990: Beats Art Card in first nationally televised bout
  • October 21, 1991: Is declared winner by disqualification over Elijah Tijery after opponent is grabbed from the neck and thrown outside the ring by Bowe's manager, Rock Newman. A melee ensued.
  • November 13, 1992: Wins the world Heavyweight championship, beating Evander Holyfield by a decision in 12 rounds.
  • Early 1993: He and his manager Rock Newman visit the Pope John Paul II in the Vatican City, offering him the autographed gloves that Bowe used to beat Holyfield. The Pope accepts the gift.
  • November 6, 1993: Loses the title to Holyfield, by decision in 12, after a man parachuted into the ring and caused a mini-riot in round seven, in the fan man fight.
  • August 13, 1994: His fight with Buster Mathis Jr declared a no contest after Bowe hit his opponent while Mathis Jr. lay on the canvas.
  • December, 1994: In the final pre-fight conference before their fight, he sucker punches Larry Donald twice. He beat Donald by decision in 12.
  • March 11, 1995: He wins the WBO world Heavyweight championship, knocking out Herbie Hide in six rounds.
  • Summer of 1995: He and Jorge Luis Gonzalez engage in a series of violent press conferences across the United States before their fight, even throwing ice at each other during some of the conferences. Their last pre-fight conference was held under two protective glasses. Bowe wins by knockout in six.
  • November 4, 1995: He and Holyfield fight the last fight of their trilogy. Bowe recovers from a knockdown in round five to win by knockout in round eight.
  • July 11, 1996: He defeats Andrew Golota by a disqualification in round seven. The ensuing riot became breaking news across the United States, and an infamous night in the history of boxing. Golota was hit by a Bowe entourage man with a telephone in the head.
  • December 14, 1996: He defeats Golota in their rematch, again by disqualification. It turns to be Bowe's last fight. He recovered from three knockdowns, but dropped Golota three times himself before the final result.
  • December, 1996: Bowe announces he will join the US Marines. Four days later, he resigns.
  • 1999: He kidnapped his wife and children. They are released unharmed, after an interstate drive.

Bowe had a record of 41 wins and 1 loss, with 1 no-contest, and 32 knockouts.