Bruce Johnson recently interviewed Bowe at the Federal Correctional Institute in Cumberland, Maryland.

The story has a familiar ring; a once battered and bruised champion boxer attempting a comeback against all sound advice. But Riddick Bowe of Fort Washington Maryland says he is still young enough and determined despite his current status as a federal prisoner.

It was 11 years ago this month that Riddick Bowe defeated Evander Holyfield to capture the Heavyweight Boxing Championship. He became an immediate world figure on his way to earning millions. Rock Newman describes his style? ?He could fight on the inside and he could fight on the outside. He could keep you on the end of a jab and knock you out with a left hook. He was deceptively quick for his size.? But a year later and it was nearly over... Bowe was taking beatings in the ring because he couldn't stop eating outside boxing - in between fights. ?The weight swings, sometimes as much as 70 pounds between fights, had a dramatic negative effect on his ability to perform.? Bruce: ?You used to like to eat?? Riddick: ?Still do. What do you mean used to. I love to eat.? Bowe's personal life fell apart. And today at 35, Riddick Bowe is inmate number 13-6-03. He?s a convicted felon serving 18 months at the Federal Correctional Institute in Cumberland for kidnapping his wife and children. Bowe admits he was wrong. ?You live and you learn. So I know that you just have to be cool. And think about it before you do something you don't want to do. Cause when you do something you don't want to do, this is what happens.? This is the same Riddick Bowe who failed miserably in a well publicized attempt to become a marine. ?Well I left the Marine Corp because I didn't want people telling me what to do and when to do it. Well, I left one prison and came to another. This is just as bad. ? Bowe says he's been busy re-dedicated himself to boxing. Against a lot of sound advice, Riddick Bowe is planning a comeback when he's released from prison. Bruce: ?But you're set for life?? Riddick: ?Absolutely.? Bruce: ?You don't have to do anything?? Riddick: ?For the most part, you're correct.? Bowe says it?s not about money. He figures he's still worth about $23 million. Bruce: ?You've got 26 cars? 26. How many home you have?" Riddick: ?About 8 or 9.? Bruce: ?Who lives in those houses?? Riddick: ?My sisters live in 3 of them? My mother, my niece, and a couple of other relatives. Bruce: ?And who drives 26 cars?? Riddick: ?I do.? Bruce: ?Not now you're not.? Riddick: ?They're waiting on me.? If and when Riddick Bowe steps back into the ring it will be against the advice of Rock Newman--his former manager and former close friend.

?As someone who still cares about him--in spite of him behaving in such a knuckleheaded way towards me, I would pray that he not pursue a career because I think he puts his health at risk.? Bruce: ?You've tested yourself, same reflexes, same power?? Riddick: ?Yea. And as a fighter I think I'll be a much smarter fighter.? The two haven't spoken in years. Bowe is suing Newman claiming he stole $55 million of Bowe's earnings. ?Let me say this to you. Rock should have got what I got, and I should have got what he got.? ?Not only do I not owe Bowe money. As all mighty God is my witness, he owes me money.? Newman says Bowe's fights brought in roughly $80 million. Bowe collected 70%, Newman 20 - with 10% going toward expenses.

Bowe says when he returns to the ring he'll manage himself. He has lost 50 pounds in prison. Shadow boxing is prohibited, but he runs three miles per day and takes a prison step aerobics class daily. Bruce: ?I'm told federal law won't allow them to have free weights in here?? Riddick: ?No free weights. They don't want the inmates to get bigger than the guards around here.?

Few of the inmates in the federal system are eligible for parole. Riddick is not one of them. But he does get time off for good behavior. Riddick Bowe could be back home in Fort Washington, Maryland by April. Bruce: ?Now when you come out, you become heavyweight champ, you say that is going to happen?? Riddick: ?Unequivocally. Anything less would be uncivilized.?

Riddick tells 9 News he hasn't talked to his former wife or children since he's been in prison. He has remarried. His new wife, Terri, is the only relative or friend to visit him in prison.