Riddick Bowe’s Costly Punch Against Buster Mathis Jr.

At 27, Bowe (34-1, 29 KOs) was a former heavyweight champion ranked No. 4 by the IBF.

Mathis (14-0, 3 KOs), 24, was ranked No. 7 by the IBF and No. 8 by the WBA. The physical difference was obvious. Standing around 6’0″, Mathis fought from a deep crouch while trying to make himself a difficult target for the much taller Bowe.

The early rounds belonged to the former champion, whose jab and heavier punches gave Mathis trouble. The smaller heavyweight moved his upper body, dipped low and occasionally countered, but he had difficulty getting away from Bowe’s offense for long.

During an exchange in the fourth, Mat