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The champ has fought twice since taking the title from Holyfield, but he barely worked up a sweat to achieve first- and second-round knockouts against over-the-hill pugs Michael Dokes and Jesse Ferguson. Looking beyond this Saturday's fight, some fight fans think they might see Bowe under some strain in a matchup with Lennox Lewis, the British boxer who defeated him in the 1988 Olympics. Lewis, another 6-ft. 5-in. power tower, inherited one of Bowe's three heavyweight titles after Bowe and his manager-mentor, Rock Newman, rejected the World Boxing Council's timetable for a fight with the Brit. Lewis has defended the W.B.C. title twice, but he hasn't performed as impressively as his American rival.
Some fans say Bowe won't be truly tested until he takes on Mike Tyson, the onetime knockout bully who is behind bars for rape. "Iron Mike" is eligible for parole in May 1995 but probably won't fight again -- if at all -- before the end of that year. Says Muhammad Nassardeen, a black businessman from Inglewood, California, who recently gave Bowe an award recognizing him as a positive role model for black youths: "If Tyson never fights again, it puts a little shadow on Riddick."
These days Bowe has little choice but to keep his guard up. A month after defeating Holyfield, Bowe signed a six-fight contract with Time Warner Sports that could earn him as much as $100 million if he retains his title. And if that's not enough incentive, there is the challenge of breaking the record set by Rocky Marciano, who retired undefeated after 49 fights. "I want to take my place in history," Bowe admits. "I need 15 fights to tie Marciano's record and 16 to beat it." After that, he says, he too will retire.
In the meantime, the champ is beginning to make a name for himself outside the ring. He has become a regular on the talk-show circuit, where he is known for his not-bad impressions of Ronald Reagan, Stevie Wonder and Ali. He also has appeared in cameo roles on the television show Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, in the Broadway musical Will Rogers Follies and in a commercial for Fruit of the Loom underwear. Just last month Italian-based Fila Sportswear introduced a new Bowe Motion line of cross-training shoes and workout clothes.
For all its flair and commercial flavor, Bowe's extracurricular life has also reflected the champion's earnest side. In February Bowe took a two-week goodwill trip around the world, making stops in South Africa, where he met with Nelson Mandela and pledged his support to the African National Congress; Somalia, where he delivered medical supplies to volunteer relief workers and visited American troops; and the Vatican, where he had a private audience with the Pope.
Bowe welcomes the chance to set an example. He doesn't drink or do drugs. He married his high school sweetheart, Judy, a born-again Christian he knew for three years before they exchanged their first kiss. A share of his earnings is invested in trust funds to provide college educations for his children: Riddick Jr., 7; Riddicia, 5; Brenda, 3; and a baby due in April.