Would Donovan Ruddock be an all time great heavyweight if we teleported him to the 1940s

Yes.

 

Absolutely.

 

He would do very well in the 40s based on his size, power, and athleticism.... But, Joe Louis would still turn his lights out, so, he would never truly be the best of that era. In fact, because of Louis he may not even hold the title. Just like it happened in his own era with Tyson.

 

If teleported ? Maybe. But if he lived through that era by natural means as in being born around 1915 then no. He would be 6’3” but probably only weigh around 195-200 lbs. Being born in Jamaica then later living in Canada, his boxing training and upbringing wouldn’t likely be what it was in the 1980’s and 90’s. Being a black fighter in the first half of the twentieth century his prospects and opportunities would be limited. My guess is he’d be good enough to become a strong member of the murderers row like Elmer Ray and Lem Franklin. Probably get denied a title shot like those guys did and grind his gears until eventually fizzling out like the rest of them.

 

send him back to the era of Tony Galento and Max Baer and Razor becomes cream of the crop. Hell, even Michael Spinks would mop up on that crew.

Those heavyweights were clearly inferior

 

This is more than likely the correct answer.

 

Ruddock was nearly knocked out by a past it James smith in the second round and went back and forth with him for 7 rounds before finally stopping the old man. He got knocked out in two rounds by Lennox Lewis and stopped in 6 by a past prime Tommy Morrison.

His only actual notable wins were over washed up versions of Mike weaver, Michael dokes, and Greg page. He never beat a prime top contender. People massively overrated him because he went the distance with a technically deficient Mike Tyson, never mind the fact guys like James tilies and Tony Tucker did the same against a prime Tyson. I would pick max baer to beat him. Hit at least as hard and had a better chin.

 

No. Ruddock even at his best never showed he could dominate any era. He was good enough to be a top contender in his own era and I see him being good enough to do the same in the 40s.

 

He had a fatal flaw: He simply would not learn how to set up an opponent with his left jab. He resisted attempts to train him in the science of boxing. All he wanted to do was to keep trying to land his "smash". Louis would knock him out and so would Walcott, most likely. I'd even pick Lou Nova to beat him.

 

Absolutely not.