Time Warp Welcomes Boxing Legend Riddick Bowe

Time Warp Welcomes Boxing Legend Riddick Bowe

Charles Romans

The Ashland Beacon

Time Warp, a local hotspot for collectors and pop culture enthusiasts in Ashland, Kentucky, is about to deliver a knockout event! On May 17, the store’s Town Center Mall location will host none other than former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Riddick Bowe. Known for his powerhouse punches and larger-than-life personality, Bowe is a true icon in the world of boxing.

Riddick Bowe's impressive career includes holding the undisputed Heavyweight title in 1992 and earning a Silver Medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, as a super heavyweight. Not only a legend in the boxing ring, Bowe also ventured into professional kickboxing, competing in Muay Thai from 2013 to 2016.

Time Warp owner Earl Mollette is thrilled to welcome Bowe to his store, though the exact start time of the event is still to be announced. “We’re waiting to finalize his flight schedule,” Mollette explained. “But fans can keep an eye on our Facebook page — we’ll be posting updates there.”

But that's not all! The weekend of May 17 will also feature a collectibles and card show running from Friday through Sunday. “Really, it’s a collectibles show,” Mollette said. “Sports cards, toys, all sorts of collectibles.”

This is more than just a meet-and-greet — it's a chance to own a piece of boxing history. Fans can snag an autograph or a selfie with Bowe for just $25 each or go all-in with a combo package for $40. “We’re going to try to have boxing gloves available that day,” Mollette added. These gloves will offer fans a unique keepsake for Bowe to sign — an ideal memento from a true heavyweight champion.

Mollette, known for regularly bringing professional wrestlers and other celebrities into Time Warp, says it’s all about creating memorable experiences for his customers. “I try to bring in any celebrity I think people would like to meet,” he said. “I want to try to hit all areas, not just wrestling.”

The upcoming card show is expected to draw crowds from near and far, and Bowe’s appearance is sure to be the main event. Attendees are welcome to bring their own items for autographs or choose from event-exclusive merchandise. And for family photo ops, there's good news: selfies can include more than one person — as long as they’re immediate family.

Time Warp is located inside the Ashland Town Center Mall, right next to Panera Bread. Conveniently, the store has its own entrance, allowing it to stay open outside of regular mall hours. It’s a collector’s paradise, offering everything from retro video games and consoles (Atari to PS5) to music formats including vinyl, CDs, cassettes, turntables, and CD players. Fans of trading card games will also find a robust selection of Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon, plus a wide variety of sports cards and team memorabilia.

Whether you're a longtime fan of the "Big Daddy" or just love a good dose of nostalgia, this event is shaping up to be a can't-miss weekend in Ashland.

For more information, contact Time Warp at timewarpashland@gmail.com or call 606.420.4011. Regular store hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.