Did Razor Ruddock have the potential to be heavy weight champ?

Ruddock was devoid of any ring IQ, that alone would have prevented him from being "great".

But did he have the potential to be "heavyweight champ"?

Ummm yeah, far lesser guys have held belts.

Ruddock would have certainly KO'd someone like Rachman, or John Ruiz.

 

If John Ruiz could sure.... however after Dokes brutal ko he became a headhunter. Had he invested to the Body on Tyson the second fight may have been closer.

 

In a battle of Tyson/Lewis victims, I always wonder how a Bruno-Ruddock matchup would have gone down. Both monster punchers, it's unlikely to go 12 either way. I suspect Ruddock would have caught and brutally stopped Bruno at some point.

 

He would never beat Tyson no matter what.

HOWEVER, he did have Tommy Morrison beat, until Morrison got very lucky and landed a hailmary hook.

 

Said “closer” not beat.

 

Absolutely! Razor was throwing lead uppercuts from way outside against Tyson and maybe threw 2 jabs a round! Either he never listening to his corner or they shouda been shot.

 

Ruddock could have been a belt holder with a little luck. He was never gonna beat Holyfield or even Tyson who was begging to be hit with a right hand in both of their fights.
Physically he did have the ability. I agree he lacked the ring IQ. The ability to relax in the ring was something he never had. Usually when a guy is throwing haymakers without setting them up it's because he is scared and wants to get it over with. Not saying he was a coward.
He wasn't poised enough to set the table and box. Let the KO come in due time.

 

Not a champ during the time he fought. Champs were Lewis, Bowe & Holyfield. Plus Tyson. So who is the guy ruddock gets his hand raised over?

And Razor took a lot of time off after the Lewis slaughter and after that was some B grade fights. And he didn't look good in those. He was also real fortunate later on when he pulled out of the Klitschko fight with the groin infection.

 

He'd have likely won a title if he peaked in the early 80s. He was good enough to beat Weaver, Page, Dokes and Bonecrusher. They won belts.

He was just born a little too late. Timing is key.

 

Had he faced one of the weaker champions sure. But he proved he wasn't ATG material, he always lost when he stepped up to the top dog. So I wouldn't trust him against most champs.

 

Yes, lesser fighters have won the world championship, but he would have had to have to right manager.

 

THIS

 

He stopped Dokes and Smith. The answer is yes.

 

Watching some of his fights, you’d think he’d broken his right hand or something. Just crazy hooks over & over. Had he not been so one dimensional, and been on a different era he could’ve one a belt.