James Toney vs Donovan ‘Razor’ Ruddock

Ruddock would have my vote to win but he’d have to fight a very busy fight and not just look for a one punch KO

 

I don’t think Ruddock could land anything worthy on Toney if he comes in at a decent weight.

 

Well, about 1 week or so ago, this went down. 55 yo vs 59 yo? I haven’t watched the whole thing yet but described as a charity exhibition match though there seems to be a few decent whacks in there. Nice tuts on both guys btw.

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I would have to think Ruddock would win this one. Toney was a defensive master, but he was obviously not built to be a heavyweight. Yes, he beat Holyfield. But that was a Holyfield that had gone through three fights with Riddick Bowe, two fights with Lennox Lewis, two fights with Tyson, two fights with Qawi, and two fights with Moorer. Not to mention scraps with Foreman, Mercer and Holmes. There wasn't a whole lot left of Holyfield at that point even if he wasn't totally shot and so Toney can't get that much credit for it beyond the impressiveness of beating the bigger man.

Toney had a great chin and incredible defense, but he wouldn't have had the conditioning to avoid Ruddock's power over the long haul. Eventually he back him up in the ropes and start to do some damage. Ruddock would hit the body enough to make him stand still. Toney was obviously a far greater fighter than Ruddock could ever dream to be, but I was never overly impressed with his heavyweight run. Yes, it's amazing that he could still fight at that level for being so fat, but he was fighting a lot of shopworn fighters and lower opposition.

 

Thanks for posting this. Yea, it's crazy at their ages they are out there doing this. I guess most would say it shouldn't even be allowed. This is the first new fight that I've actually sit down and watched all the way through in years. I guess it's a nostalgia thing and having met and watched James in person so many years back.
Despite his age, you can still see the skills that allowed James to last as long as he did. Most fighters will never learn how to fight like that or be able to pull that off for so long.

On the comical side, it's funny watching James hopping around at his size, hamming it up! Thanks for the post.

 

My pleasure Jab, really glad you enjoyed it.

Agree re James, such a terrific, old school defensive slickster. And if the occasional bomb did sneak through - he had those fine whiskers to take the hit - in perfect complement to those defensive skills.

If you haven’t seen it before, you might like this vision of James showing off skills (and some swag, lol) in a spirited sparring session with Danny Green. I’ve only linked part 1 - there is of course part 2 if you’re interested.

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The aging process sucks.

 

I thought Toney outworked Ruddock in the exhibition fight. As for an encounter in their primes, I slightly favour Toney by a narrow decision.
Toney has the skills but he will have to evade Ruddock's big punch for 12 rounds.

 

Toney never beat anyone at heavyweight with the skillset of 91/92 Razor Ruddock. Ruddock by stoppage

 

Ruddock was never skilled

 

Holy smokes I had no idea they just fought an exhibition! Watched 15 seconds and felt dirt old.

 

Ruddock went the distance with Tyson in a slugfest fight. He destroys anyone who Toney faced at heavyweight.