HOLLYWOOD, CA. - It was a surreal sight to find former heavyweight world champion boxer Riddick Bowe standing near the entrance to a mixed martial arts fight card in the back lot of an old Hollywood motion picture studio that is now a nightclub.

But there he was “Big Daddy” the former scourge of prizefighting who retired for a period of eight years then returned with a fight here and there.

Bowe wants to return again, but not to boxing, he’s throwing his hat into the world of MMA.

“I’ve got to make a living for my family,” said Bowe, 40, who is a two-time heavyweight champion in professional boxing.

Xcess Entertainment signed Bowe to fight exclusively for them beginning on Dec. 12. Though no site has been confirmed the former boxer is targeted for that fight card in California.

“If Evander Holyfield can fight so can I,” said Bowe citing his former foe’s age of 45. “I just turned 40.”

Bowe will not be the first former world champion boxer to try the cage, 46-year-old Ray Mercer is a former WBO titleholder who participated in an MMA fight and was submitted by Kimbo Slice this year. But Bowe and his promoters hope to get the former boxer prepared by next month.

“We have Riddick Bowe training with Mark Kerr in Los Angeles,” said Bruce Valachi, CEO for Xcess Fighting. “He should learn a lot from Kerr.”

As a boxer, the Brooklyn-born Bowe was known for his size, speed and power that enabled him top take two of three wins over Holyfield during the early 1990s. Experts said he was one of the most talented heavyweights ever seen.

“It was incredible to see a man that large throw punches that fast,” said Leonard Castillon, 93, who saw Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes fight. “He had all of the tools.”

When Bowe (42-1, 33 KOs) suddenly walked away from professional boxing in 1996, more than a few people were glad. Mostly because Bowe had engaged in a number of rough and tumble clashes against some of the best in the heavyweight division at the time including two with Poland’s Andrew Golata, three with Holyfield, and bouts against Herbie Hide, Larry Donald, Michael Dokes and Pierre Coetzer.

The amiable fighter returned to the ring in 2004 and won a quick knockout over Marcus Rhode. A year later Bowe returned to fight Billy Zumbrun a small but well-schooled fighter and won a hard-fought split-decision in Temecula. Other fights were planned with his name mentioned in several fight cards.

“They were all just rumors,” said Bowe, as he sat inside the mammoth nightclub with his daughter in tow. “Nobody wanted to let me fight. They said I have brain damage or something, but it’s not true. I just want to fight.”

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Bowe knows he needs to learn the finer points of MMA including submissions and defense against submissions. He also knows that his large frame must be reduced so that he can move and increase his stamina. But he feels he has an advantage.

“I got these two fast hands,” says Bowe raising his fists. “If I touch you with these someone is going out quick.”

With the music blaring and lights flickering in and out during the fight card, more than a few people shouted “Big Daddy” who would wave hello and shake hands with all of the well wishers. Most express surprise that he’s returning to fight but not in boxing, in MMA.

“I’ve got to make a living,” says Bowe.

Butterbean
Ironically, one former boxer Eric “Butterbean” Esch was supposed to headline the main event at the Hollywood, California MMA fight card but did not show. Xcess Fighting Promoters said he was unable to come to contractual terms.