Who takes this. Ruddock from the tyson fights, pumped up and ready to battle or wlad who around 06 was hitting his peak but had a couple of confidence breaking loss behind him. Is wlad just to much for razor or could ruddock find a way to win this???
Wlad wins this in style. Better skills, taller, quicker, hits just as hard. Ruddock always had problems vs tall boxers (past prime James Smith, pre-prime Lennox Lewis, even skinny jorneyman Jaco). Wlad knocks out Ruddock in 7-8 rounds.
Ruddock went 12 hard rounds with prime tyson, showed good chin and heart, i don't think wlad can finish him even if he knocks him down. Wlad has problems with left hookers, i see ruddock being too tough and athletic (compared to other opponents) for wlad, and stopping him mid rounds with the smash.
I to call this for razor. Definitely not a easy one but can see razor some point in the fight landing enough left s to stop wlad. Razor by tko 7
Ruddock had an awful habit of using no defense whatsoever outside of being tall, and he still leaned into punches and was vulnerable to counters. I think Lewis is a more valid comparison. He just used a little lateral movement to avoid Ruddock's left hook, and caught him with a long right hand when he stupidly ducked in looking to go to the body or something..who knows, Ruddock was a bit of an idiot. Ruddock used his size and muscle to get out of trouble against Tyson and survive hairy situations, lean on the smaller man, wear him out, and make a war out of it. Against Lewis he couldn't do that, he tried to retreat or fight his way out of the early hole he put himself in and just got measured with more right hands. I say Wlad replicates Lewis' success with the lateral movement and reachy right cross. The only different is Wlad takes his time, doesn't move in for the kill as quickly, and picks the hurt Ruddock apart more, probably stops him in 3 or 4 instead of 2.
This is an interesting match up and I would actually lean towards Ruddock getting a KO over Wlad. he was durable and had the power so hurt Klit, i find it hard to believe he wouldnt land at some point. once Wlad gets hurt he is in big trouble, once he loses control i'd guess he would fall apart. but if Wlad was able to dictate the pace and totally control ruddock he has a points win but I'm not sure he would get a KO, he not that aggressive.