Is Ruddock in the same catagory as huge punchers like Foreman and Shavers who made Norton freeze? Or would Kenny's consistent pressure coupled with his crossarms defense to nullify Ruddock's uppercut make him the victor?
Nice match up,Sardu. Could go either way. Norton had more overall skill,and he could use it to take a decision off Ruddock,mainly by backing him up constantly with the jab. Ruddock would still have a puncher's chance with that right hand smash of his,though.
I am sorry but Ruddock hasnt really beaten anyone the caliber of Ken NOrton. His best wins are his close win over Mike Weaver, and his KO of Bonecrusher Smith and Michael Dokes and I suppose the old and past it Greg Page. Norton on the other hand proved he could fight with wins over Ali, Young, Quarry, Stander and Bobick. Ruddock did reasonable in the Tyson losses, but nowhere near as good as Norton in the Ali or Holmes losses. Much is made of Norton folding against Foreman (who didnt) and Shavers and Cooney. He was old by this time. And Ruddock didnt exactly cover himself in glory against Lennox Lewis and Tommy Morrison. In fairness to Ruddock, he is brave and certainly a reasonable fighter but he is a notch below Norton in class and ability, despite probably having to overcome some tale of the tape disadvantages. Norton wins this one, probably by UD or Late knockout.
The boxing world never saw a focused, disciplined Razor Ruddock set up his punches properly with the jab that earned him his "razor" nickname. Against Norton, Ruddock at his guestimated best would stop him inside 8 rounds. Norton never had the chin to hold up to the power of a fighter like Razor. Sure, he was old against Shavers and Cooney, but he was scared against Foreman and got blasted out, backing up and away from his punches. He did box nicely for moments of the first round against Foreman until Big George took the fight over and stopped him. The unfocused Ruddock, the fighter that we saw for most of his career who relied too much on his hybrid left hook-uppercut smash, wouldn't beat Norton as easily, and I wouldn't put it past a prime Kenny to stop Razor. Either way, I can see knockdowns from both men in a very exciting fight, but I think Razor edges it out and stops Norton late. If it goes the distance, Kenny is the favourite to outbox Razor over 12 rounds.
Ruddock by early ko. While it may be true that norton had better overall skills than ruddock the record shows that he a nack for freezing up against big punchers and this wouldn't be any different. This is the reason why i cannot classify norton as being an all time great, just a very good fighter. The deciding factor would be the chins and "razors" was stronger, not to mention his superior size, strength and a crushing left hook.
Norton. Those 2 handed body punches would slow Ruddock down even more, if possible or imaginable. It'd be what 20 punches a round and 15 of them telegraphed? I think Kenny's oddball jab keeps Ruddock occupied and he'll get hurt getting countered after one of his patented dip to the left and then drop his left hand and then throw a wide hook from way outside.
