Bowe fought way after 29. But yeah, shocking to realize he was so young (yet looked so shot) in Golota 2
Bowe retired at 29. The guy who came back years later was not Riddick Bowe. That was Brain damage Bubba. Bowe thought for legacy. Bubba fought for a sandwich and a 40.
Benny Leonard and Barney Ross both retired at 28. Although Leonard come back in his mid 30s after the Depression.
Bowe being completely washed 29 is wild but understandable. His fight vs Dokes kind of sums him up. He clearly has Dokes hurt and can get to him from range but decides to go inside and take several big left hooks from Dokes as he is going for the finish. A smarter fighter would just continue to win from range and get the KO that way but Bowe risks taking damage when there is no need. I was watching one of his amateur fights recently and he gets dropped.