How would you grade Tyson's performances against Ruddock

Which fight???

 

He didn't seem very energetic nor was he putting together combinations. Mostly just one big right hand after another. On the other hand, he showed extremely potent bodypunching and in-fighting that you don't see that often in his other fights. Every time he swung at Ruddocks ribs it sounded like a freaking cannon ball landed. Ruddock must've been pissing blood afterwards.

 

Ruddock was stupid, that smash of his was a perfect punch to go to the body with. By going downstairs a lot he also has more chance of catching Tyson on the chin with hit than with just headhunting.

 

8.5 out of 10....Ruddock was in his prime

 

If Tyson vs Holmes is 10 out of 10 (absolute peak Mike's performance)

Than Ruddock 1-2 somewhere between 6 and 7, no more than that.

 

Pluses:
He was fighting with bad intentions.
He punched with tremendous power.
Great handspeed.
Showed desire and determination.
Showed a tremendous chin.
Looked in great shape.
Awesome body punching.

Negatives:
Old head movement was sporadic.
Very few combinations.
Got hit too easily.
Too predictable.

For me, about 7/10.

I think that that version of Tyson still cleans up today.

 

But that version wouldn't have cleaned up the division of that time....

 

Possibly not, no.

 

One of his best performances IMO. And if it was pre-Douglas it would generally be seen as such. He thoroughly dominated and beat up what was seen as a very dangerous contender. Ruddock had just almost killed Dokes shortly after he gave Holy a good fight. If you see to Ruddock quality at time he faced Mike he was probably the best Tyson had faced together with Tucker, Douglas and perhaps Smith. But he did better against Ruddock than any of them.

 

c+

 

I'd give him an A for both. Two very exciting fights. I ordered both on PPV. Great undercards, too.

At that moment, Mike Tyson and Razor Ruddock were the legit top two contenders. The first ended prematurely and a riot broke out. Both showed stones by agreeing to come right back and do it again. And they put on a second great show.

I don't have anything negative to say, in hindsight. Considering we have talented fighters right now, and everyone seems to be posturing and talking about big fights ... and then they fight someone else ... people should just respect Tyson and Ruddock for not sitting on the sidelines waiting for their title shots.

They were two very exciting punchouts. They were two very loaded cards. Despite the losses, Ruddock remained in the title picture because fans respected his performances, win or lose.

That's all boxing fans want. Get in the ring. Slug it out. If there's some controversy, do it again right away. Fans will respect you for it.

 

He looked a bit sloppy at times but actually he didn't seem any worse than he did against Tucker in 1987.
Bokaj might be right, if they happened pre-Douglas people would find less fault with them.

Overall both Ruddock fights were very good performances, the second one the better of the two.

 

I think that that Tyson from both Ruddock fights gets knocked out by Douglas like he was KO'd in real fight. Ruddock was very strong and powerful, hit harder than Douglas, but he didn't have Douglas' speed, jab and overall punch variety. Douglas was one of the best ortodox stance fighters who used straight left as power punch, and did it perfectly when he knocked out Mike Tyson.

 

This with Tyson not throwing combinations - yes, when Ruddock was just intent on grabbing him and spoiling he didn't. Not against Tucker either. And rightly so, it would mostly be a waste of energy. Instead he paced himself, easily won the rounds and when Ruddock finally opened up, then Mike brought out the combos. Yes, Ruddock also had some good moments once he tried to make a fight of it but so did Tucker before he went into survival mode. Tyson's chin saved him against both.

People forget that the uppercut Tucker landed on Mike would have KO'd many fighters , or at least hurt them enough for him to finish the job. Tucker landed nothing that hard on Douglas, but still got him out of there. Tyson also ate a monster shot against Smith that would have put many to sleep. He was a small guy that came perpetually forward against bigger opponents, of course he was going to get caught now and then. Ruddock caught him with some good ones, but Mike responded with much more effect and soon had Ruddock out of there.

Was this a less convincing performance than against Pinklon Thomas, who managed to steal a couple of rounds despite having nothing on his right? No. Was it less convincing than against Smith and Tucker? No. Did Tyson ever look more convincing against someone of the quality Ruddock had at that time? Probably not.