There was once a time when many boxing experts thought Riddick Bowe could have been one of the great Heavyweight Champions to ever enter a ring.
Bowe is a former two-time World heavyweight champion, first winning the WBA, WBC and IBF titles in 1992, and then going on to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Bowe’s heart did not match his talent, and he promptly retired, first in 1996, then again in 2008. Now 45 and a shell of his former self, Bowe has entered the world of Muay Thai kickboxing.
He had his first match in PATTAYA, Thailand this morning, and promptly knocked out by 30-year-old Russian opponent Levgen Golovin, who battered Bowe’s shins, dropping him five times before the bout was stopped according to USA Today.
“It’s much harder than boxing,” Bowe said after limping out of the ring.
“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?”
The financially strapped Bowe made $15,000 for the bout. The now 300 pound Bowe says he’ll definitely do it again.
“I had a lot of fun. I’m going to do it again. Next time it’s going to be different,” he said. “I’ll be back soon.”
His opponent feels otherwise.
“It would be a big mistake. It’s not for him,” Golovin said. “He’s too slow and a bit too old.”
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