Evander Holyfield Targets Ring Return To Face Riddick Bowe

Boxing legend Evander Holyfield wants to get back in the ring and fight long time rival Riddick Bowe for a fourth time, 24 years after their last meeting.

Holyfield is now 57-years-old and hasn't fought in eight years, since beating Brian Nielsen in 2011, but says that he's had plans to fight his old rival Bowe.

The American even went as far to say he'd had talks in the past about a fight, "I had something set-up in Japan that they were talking about doing but now nobody is saying nothing," he told World Boxing News.

"Hopefully, it will [happen] but I had nobody say to me lately about it. If we do it then fine. If we don't I'm good.

"I wanted to do it with Riddick Bowe. We're friends. And the kind of money they're talking about it would be pretty good for three rounds.

"Yes, I can do that (Holyfield vs Bowe IV). I'm ready!"

The two men first met in November 1992 with Bowe inflicting Holyfield with his career defeat and taking the WBA, WBC, IBF, and lineal heavyweight titles off the former cruiserweight.

After beating Jamaican Alex Stewart in early 93, Holyfield got his rematch just under a year after the first fight and exacted revenge with a majority decision, winning back his titles.

Holyfield lost the titles to Michael Moorer in his next fight and then came up against Bowe for the third time in November 95, with Bowe winning with a stoppage in the eighth round.

Holyfield with former rival Mike Tyson. Image: PA Images

Fifty two-year-old Bowe might be five years his rivals junior but 'Big Daddy,' who only lost once in his career, hasn't fought for even longer.

The former world champion last fight was an eight round unanimous decision win against German Gene Pukall in 2008.

Unfortunately during his career, Bowe never faced at the time fellow world champion Lennox Lewis and the current heavyweight title picture will be hoping to avoid a similar missed opportunity in the near future

Ruiz and AJ meet for the second time in December. Image: PA Images

Holyfield and Bowe coming back to the ring wouldn't be the most ridiculous comeback announcement in recent times after Nigel Benn initially tried to make a return.

The 55-year-old hasn't fought since 1996 but was set to face Sakio Bika this Saturday, before having to pull out of the fight with a shoulder injury, to the relief of most.

Topics: Heavyweight boxing, Tyson Fury, Boxing News, Andy Ruiz Jr, Anthony Joshua, Lennox Lewis, Deontay Wilder

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

@Sidler28