1990 Tokio Douglas vs 2019 Madison Square Garden Andy Ruiz Jr

Dynamicpuncher · Nov 15, 2025

PrimoGT said: ↑

The idea that Buster Douglas almost magically improved by so many leaps and bounds for just one single fight is not as likely an explanation as he was just terribly under-rated, his performances were under-rated, as was his opposition, he had no following, he was not well marketed - and he improved gradually.

Combined with Tyson's chances becoming inflated by his well-earned reputation morphing into a mythical aura of actual invincibility. "42-1 odds" is meaningless. It was just one casino in Las Vegas that put those odds up because no one expected much action on Douglas anyway. They could have said "6-1" or "100-1". They have no bearing on real chances. Consider Douglas was legitimately a "top 10" or even "top 5" contender to Tyson's crown in early 1990 - as most people do - and Tyson had never fought him before, it's clear to see the odds don't represent real chances going in, even before the result. Douglas beating Tyson was surprising and DRAMATIC. But that doesn't prove it was so way out of step with Douglas's form.

Perception is not reality. And perceptions in 1990 were not the same as they'd be today. In 2025, Buster Douglas would have a following on forums like this, and worldwide exposure, even if not a box-office draw, and negative commentators don't have a monopoly. They'd be better analysis, as bad as people think the internet is, it beats the likes of Howard Coseell or Larry Merchant etc., and a few magazines having a monopoly. Fans and analysts of all types engage daily, instead of being mostly isolated. Mike Tyson's repuation wouldn't be bigger than it was back then, because he reached the apex already, and there would still be a clear perceived gap between him and Douglas based on record - but not to the extent back then.
Click to expand...

Agreed I've always said Douglas's form between 1986 to 1990 up until the Tyson fight is very underrated.

Douglas's only loss during this time was to Tony Tucker in a fight in which was ahead on points.

He also beat Greg Page, Trevor Berbick, Oliver McCall, 3 fighters who held world titles.

And I still say his performance vs Mike Williams in which he knocked his opponent down 3 times is comparable to his form vs Tyson.

robert ungurean · Nov 15, 2025

Douglas by KO

Marvelous_Iron · Nov 15, 2025

There's nothing junior about Ruiz, too big and too modern for the malnourished Douglas, while Douglas might not have looked so, Ruiz's modern nutrition science would give him a huge advantage

Fergy · Nov 22, 2025

Buster kicks ass

Log in or Sign up

1990 Tokio Douglas vs 2019 Madison Square Garden Andy Ruiz Jr

1990 Tokio Douglas vs 2019 Madison Square Garden Ruiz Jr

Buster KO

Andy KO

Buster Points

Andy Points

Draw

Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

Marvelous_Iron Active Member Full Member

Fergy Walking Dead Full Member