Former world heavyweight boxing champion ; Riddick Bowe will be returning back the ring as he prepares for his debut in the Thai martial arts discipline of Muay Thai in Bangkok.
Bowe, 44, has been inactive as a boxer since 2008 but having announced his decision in March to take on a new challenge; the American is now training in Bangkok ahead of a June 14 showdown against Russian Levgen Golovin.
Nicknamed “Big Daddy”, Bowe only arrived in the Thai capital two weeks ago but in an interview said he was enjoying the extra liberties afforded in Muay Thai.
Thailand’s sweltering heat has always provided sports stars with an additional challenge when competing in the country and Bowe admitted it could play a part in his first fight.
It’s more than decades ago since Bowe handed compatriot Evander Holyfield his first ever defeat to become world heavyweight champion in 1992.
He went on to become the undisputed world champion when he held the WBC (World Boxing Council), WBA (World Boxing Association) and IBF (International Boxing Federation) belts at the same time.
Bowe was due to fight Briton’s WBC number one contender Lennox Lewis in 1993 but the pair disagreed over terms and, in a stunt that hurt Bowe’s image, he held a press conference where he threw the WBC belt in the bin.
Bowe had a second reign as heavyweight champion in 1995 when he knocked Holyfield out to win the WBO belt but he retired in 1996 before making a return in 2004, only to limp away again before being declared bankrupt in 2005. He joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve after his first retirement in 1996 but quit three days into training.
Bowe ended his boxing career with a 43-1 record with 33 of the victories coming by knock-out. He once famously punched an opponent Larry Donald during a pre-fight news conference.
Until recently, Bowe has been training for his Muay Thai debut in Las Vegas but has now relocated to Thailand for the final phase of his build up.
And according to his trainer; Kongnapa Watcharawit , Bowe been developing well, especially when he hits by the knees and elbows, as he is a quick learner.