Bowe Weighs In at 246 Pounds, Holyfield 217

All the talk and speculation about Riddick Bowe’s growing gut was quieted some Thursday afternoon when the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Assn. heavyweight champion weighed in at 246 pounds for Saturday’s fight against Evander Holyfield.

Bowe, who weighed 244 for his last title defense, said all week that he was in good shape and would be not weigh much more than 245 for the official weigh in. Bowe weighed 235 after going on a crash diet for last year’s fight with Holyfield.

Meanwhile, Holyfield hit the scale at 217 pounds, 12 more than he weighed last November when he lost his title to Bowe. Holyfield’s logic in going up in weight was not clear, especially after declaring that he wanted to be quicker than he was in the first fight.

He weighed 215 for his sluggish 12-round defeat of Alex Stewart June 26.

In an earlier development, the Nevada Athletic Commission split the difference between the demands of both camps and ruled that a 20-foot ring will used.

The Bowe side, thinking Holyfield would want to avoid Bowe as much as possible, requested an 18-foot ring. The Holyfield camp asked for 22 feet.