Wow , what a glorious match. Cooney is a better boxer than given credit for, and has a devastating left hook. His hook to the body was excellent. I think he nails Ruddock and even puts him down. Cooney will tear into him , and hurt him, The problem is Cooney is at some point going to get nailed, and he is a notoriously clueless when he gets hurt. Ruddock is going to hurt him and Cooney looks like a deer in headlights when it happens. If this is Prime Cooney, I think he survives a few knockdowns, and gets up to finish the fight landing huge leather of his own. HE wins a split and controversial decision. Very close fight that I give to Cooney on the slimmest of margins. One punch could end it for either man.
You can make a strong case either way, but I favor Ruddock, as he showed great durability against Tyson.
Ironically these two men had quite a bit in common. Both had excellent power and particularly in their lefts which were more like hooker-cuts than left hooks. Both also built their resumes by beating aging foes and are more known for their losing efforts to great men. While I’d give both a chance, Ruddock’s durability and mental fortitude was a level above Cooney’s and for that I’d make him the favorite. Great fight though
Cooney is by far the better boxer and will nail Razor first, problem is Ruddock showed an incredible chin getting up from that nuclear left hook Morrison detonated on his chin plus the Tyson bombs while Gerry was dropped by a Holmes right. If Gerry can't keep Razor down he'll come back and TKO Cooney in a true spectacular brawl. Can't see it going 5.
I lean with Ruddock. He should be able to nail Cooney and Cooney definitely wouldn't like it. Ruddock might actually be able to withstand a good amount of punishment.
Cooney wasn't great under pressure. At his best, Ruddock stayed calm under fire, sometimes pretty intense fire too. Pre Holmes, ultra confident Cooney is a dangerous man but Ruddock's cool head, good chin and big wallop sees him win a breath taking war in 5.
