by Rev. Ringside | Tue. July 13, 2010

Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe was still fresh off a hard-fought 12 round decision win over Evander "Real Deal" Holyfield in early 1993. Bowe proved to critics he had heart and strength and could dominate fights when in shape and focused. Under the tutelage of his his trainer Eddie Futch, Bowe went from a questionable amateur to the king of the professional boxing ring. There however was a problem - the man who KOd him at the 1988 Olympics was now his number one contender.

Instead of taking an easy fight, Bowe impressed many with his decision to fight Lennox "The Lion" Lewis. Theirs was to be a match for the ages. Many questioned Bowe's reasoning in taking a high-risk low-reward fight - Lewis was a strong behemoth, who's power recently saved him from losing to Frank Bruno.

At 25-years-old though, the champion had become a man. Holyfield’s old sparring partner had grown up; now Bowe was a father, a husband and responsible for the livelihood of his family. He was at the place he always wanted to be - on top of the proverbial mountain. He was drawing comparisons to the all-time greats, and he had money as well as a Fila shoe endorsement.

It wasn't all smooth sailing though, the champ had a weight problem. As admired as Bowe was, his lack of dedication to training was something whispered about by boxing insiders.

The X-Factor was the legendary Eddie Futch, the man who guided Larry Holmes, Ken Norton, Trevor Berbick and Joe Frazier to victories over Muhammad Ali. During Ali's illustrious career he only lost five times, four of those losses were at the hands of Eddie Futch fighters. Papa Smurf as Bowe called him, was a master-mind and knew what to do to get his charge over the hump.


The Announcement


Caesars Palace was announced as the host venue and tickets went fast - selling out in only 3 days. At the press conference Bowe barely spoke, but the champion watched Lewis intently.

It didn't take Lewis long to begin playing up to the crowd, as he boasted of being the greatest fighter from Great Britain and of his easy Olympic win over Bowe.

Bowe however, was not the same loud-talker this time around. He knew Lewis could punch and had good stamina. He also knew Lewis was on a mission to prove Bowe was nothing but a fluke and that he had his number. With the odds seemingly against him, Bowe's only real words of hostility were, “I’ll see you in the ring Lenny.”

The Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World, team in-tow, exited the premises and headed to the Poconos - it was time to get down to business.


Bowe’s Training Camp


Bowe chose solitude - for the next 12 weeks he’d be away from his wife Judy and his kids, he didn’t want to talk on the phone, and he instructed his team that only their families were to know their whereabouts.

Futch brought in good experienced sparring partners; there was former champion Tony Tubbs and Tony Tucker who had the size and boxing skills of Lewis. Mike “The Giant” White had size and power as well, finally the team was rounded out by an up-and-comer named Derrick Jefferson.

Bowe started camp at 250lbs., well below the feared 300lbs. mark some feared the champ would come into camp at. Bowe was running 6 miles daily, and honing his skills, and without the added distraction of having to lose weight rapidly - Bowe found himself in tune with his own body and mind, as with his trainer Futch.

Bowe’s sparring partners also meant business entering into the rind with 10 oz. gloves. Futch was preparing his fighter for anything, and used old school training methods to do so. Bowe was sparring with one hand and sparring with a patch over his eye in case he suffered a cut in the fight. Futch instructed the sparring squad there would be no pulling punches - he intended to simulate the environment of the championship bout Bowe was soon to compete it. The methods of Futch, the hard work of the sparring squad and the dogged determination of Bowe resulted in a best-ever version of the champion. With the fight still three weeks away, Bowe was already a fierce and focused 235 lbs.