Razor Ruddock vs Ike Ibeabuchi

Epic match-up. This would be a barn burner. I personally don't think Ike had the one punch to put Prime Razor away without an argument. I do see Razor going down multiple times, and I see huge left hands bouncing off Ike's chin in a really action packed and fast paced Heavyweight fight. Ike either wins by decision, curtosey of many knockdowns, or he stops Razor later. He's too busy, takes too good of shot, and was build like a rock. What a fight though, I'd pay for ringside seats.

 

Good analogy Addie thats pretty much how i see it but i think Ike would stop him in 9.

 

I've not seen it, but I think his earlier losses were just learning experiences. He was untapped potential, check him out against Weaver. His jab was awesome, and had good handspeed for a big man, built like an aztec statue too. Then watch him in with Tyson, all he wanted to do was catch him with a left hand and that's what pretty much stopped him progressing. He abandoned his jab, and his all round skills. I still love to watch him, probably my favorite Heavyweight besides Bowe and Ali. I love his showing in Tyson II, what a showing of heart.

 

I think he gassed out against Jaco, something like an asthma attack...or maybe I'm crazy

 

Ibeabuchi hadnt beaten a fighter like Ruddock yet. Ruddock could actually use his left jab and uppercut to keep a fighter at range. Would have been an interesting fight. I was high on Ike, and after Byrd I think he was ready for anyone, but there was talk he was struggling with the taller outside boxers in the gym, specifically Kirk Johnson, his stablemate.

 

'Could' being the operative word. If we're talking prime for prime, then Ruddock actually got further as a one handed fighter than he did as a smart boxer, which is what he looked like on his way up. As soon as he realized that his left hand could knockdown walls, he was always looking for the knockout. Dokes was giving him a tough time before he landed the shot that almost killed him. That was literally ALL he was doing in the Tyson fights. Make no mistake about it, Ruddock ain't jabbin' and movin' here, he's bombing with the left hook.

 

Ike wasnt as seasoned as you might think. His approach to Tua was raw and lacked strategy, and his fight with Byrd was a repeat of the same combo until it paid off. Ibeabuchi hadnt reached his prime yet, nor was he as savvy or experienced as Ruddock was at his best. Ike was ready, but still unproven.

 

....So? Ike's toughness, power, and stamina alone are enough to win this fight. There was nothing saavy about Ruddock, he was a banger. He was in there to knock you out with every shot he threw. He's up against an immovable object in Ike, who would be setting a very high pace. Doesn't matter if he was the finished article or not, we saw how Ike dealt with arguably the definitive Heavyweight hitter of the last 20 years. He beat the man at his own game, no way is Ruddock beating that Ike.

 

There was less substance to Tua. Different type of style. Ruddock was sneaky with the counter uppercut and hook, and threw it as more of a counter against fighters coming forward.
Ike had 20 fights, yeah Ike stood up to Tua, but so did Jeff Wooden in a very competitive fight. Not saying Ruddock wins, but its no cakewalk for Ike either, and just because he took some of Tua's best shots, doesnt mean he doesnt get hurt or held at bay by a fighter who doesnt only come forward like Tua did.

 

I'm not doing the round in circle thing with you again. I know how stubborn you are. Ruddock threw counters, but predictable ones, and there wasn't a lot of method to his work other than, "This is to knock you the **** out". Won't get the job done against Ike, he took Tua's best, he'll take Ruddock's best. I didn't say it was a cakewalk, I said it'll be a great fight...but I don't see how Ruddock wins.

 

He claimed an asthma attack.

POST SCRIPT: The source is an interview that was either in KO magazine or its sister publication boxing 89- I forget.