The Long Road Back

In his first fight in more than seven years Riddick Bowe stopped Marcus Rhode in the second round last Saturday. Here's a look at how five other heavyweights fared in comebacks after long layoffs

Muhammad Ali, 43 months
Stopped Jerry Quarry in Round 3 of a 1970 bout; won the title in '71 with a 12th-round KO of Jimmy Ellis.

George Foreman, 120 months
Scored a fourth-round TKO over Steve Zouski in 1987 and at 45 became the oldest to hold a heavyweight title when he KO'd Michael Moorer in the 10th round of a '94 bout.

Joe Frazier, 66 months
Smokin' Joe's comeback lasted only one fight, a 10-round draw against Floyd Cummings in Chicago in 1981.

Larry Holmes, 38 months
Ended the first of his three retirements by stopping Tim Anderson in the first round of a 1991 bout; outpointed for the title by Evander Holyfield in '92 and Oliver McCall in '95.

Mike Tyson, 50 months
Floored Peter McNeeley in the first round of a 1995 bout; knocked out Frank Bruno for the WBA title in '96.