This was probably around the time that Ruddock had transitioned to being more of a puncher than a boxer. Larry Alexander was always a tough war horse who hung in there with a lot of good guys. But some of the shots he got hit with were lethal This content is protected
Ruddock had good boxing skills which is also evident in his sparring session with Larry Holmes, he just fell in love with his power because "The Smash" was an easy weapon for him to get the KO. Wasn't Floyd Patterson his trainer at some point ? PS looking at the footage you can see Ruddock even in his early days using "The Smash". Ruddock also looked considerably slimmer here aswell.
In Larry Alexander's next fight, his last, he lost a split decision to a 31 year old Tim Witherspoon. One judge scored big for LA, 98-92, the other two scored it 96-94 for TW. I haven't seen it, but that type scoring makes me wonder if two judges didn't give the "A side" fighter the benefit of the doubt on some closer rounds? Larry Alexander did well for himself, coming out of the deep south (Mississippi) where there weren't many boxing programs at the time and learning on the job as a pro. Within a couple of years he fought a draw with decorated amateur Marvin Stinson in his hometown of Philly, beat Jeff Sims in his hometown of Miami, and also beat fellow tough, "B side" fighters Bob Stallings, and Leroy Boone. Alexander was probably never the "A side" fighter, most of his fights were probably on short notice in the other guy's backyard, and with little or no amateur career he compiled a 31-13-2 record, with few easy fights. IMO, more impressive than a guy with financial backing going 15-0 and fighting people who are not there to win.
Easy sport to follow and always has been and will be; follow the money. Just when does the money lose?
I see a patient Ruddock here who isn’t forcing the issue by going bombs-away from the get-go, but I don’t see the smooth-boxing Razor that people say was the case before he ‘fell in love with his power.’ Mostly just a patient guy putting forth a bit of pressure and waiting for his opening. Which brings me to my question: What fight or fights exist that show this pre-slugger Ruddock’s silky boxing skills that get referenced from time to time? What fights have people seen of the earlier version of Ruddock who was more of a technician than a power generator? I’m not challenging the truth of that assessment you see from time to time, more wondering where and how it got started. Because it seems to me, at least from my memory, that Ruddock was a big slugger looking to set up power shots rather than box for points and bank rounds from the first time he ever got any recognition or exposure. So I’m wondering what that stems from, given I’m sure few saw his formative fights in Canada before he entered he scene.
Ther aren't any fights like that. The so called boxer version should have lost the Weaver decision, to me anyway. And a young prospect having that tough of a time with an old Weaver does not talk volumes, it screams.
In fairness weaver ( though clearly past it ) still had some formidability. He DID stop Carl Williams in the same calendar I believe. And I think it’s reasonable to say that Ruddock still hadn’t quite found his groove yet. Prime for prime with a 1980 Mike Weaver and a 1990 Donoven Ruddock, I might lean towards Hercules winning. Then again with two big durable punchers anything could happen.
