Riddick bowe, former heavyweight champion, is returning to the ring.Damon Feldman, the event promoter, told ESPN that Bowe, 53 years old, will be facing former NBA player Lamar Odom in a celebrity-boxing event at the James L. Knight Center, in downtown Miami on Oct. 2.Bowe, who is a member of International Boxing Hall of Fame was able to end his professional career after a win over Andrew Golota in 1996. Bowe fought in 2005, 2004, and 2008 for his last professional fight.Feldman said that Feldman had been asking him to do this for a while. "We didn't know when or if it would be safe."Odom, 41 years old, will be facing Aaron Carter in a similar matchup. Odom, who was a member of the NBA from 1999 through 2013, was declared the winner after a knockout in round one.Feldman stated that both fighters will be wearing gloves weighing 23 ounces and that the bout will last three rounds of two minutes each. Feldman said that headgear will likely be used, but this aspect is still unknown. Odom was trained by Xavier Biggs (the owner and head trainer at Decatur Boxing Gym, Decatur, Georgia) for the fight against Carter. Biggs stated that Odom's move to boxing has helped him focus and maintain his discipline. Odom has spoken out about his past of substance abuse.Biggs stated that Lamar appears to be on a life-repair mission after all he has been through. Bowe is just one of the many ex-fighters who are taking part in exhibition bouts. Similar events have been held by Roy Jones Jr., Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez.Before talks collapsed, Evander Holyfield was set to face Tyson. Bowe suffered his first professional loss in 1993 when Holyfield defeated him. Bowe won the revenge in 1995.
