Ruddock wins this one inside 6 if both are in their primes. There was a time Donovan actually used a full arsenal of tools and, well, had great power, to boot. Asthma attacks notwithstanding.
It's very easy to look at this and think it's all cut and dried for Ruddock. Ruddock could punch,and Norton's Achilles Heel was a big hitter who could force him onto the back foot. This could easily occur here. However,Ruddock could become a bit untidy if he could n't get his man out of there early. If Ken's still there after six rounds or so,he could outbox Razor and win the decision.
Agreed Seamus. I wish Ruddock was more disciplined and deliberate with his jab and straight right, not the smash. It's puzzling considering the early accolades about his jab. Some say it was just as good as Larry Holmes. About this fight, Norton probably gets KOd like you said inside 6 rounds. I wouldn't put it past him to hurt Ruddock early and drop him but he's not stopping him.
I think Donovan Ruddock would win this one. Ken wasn't the best man to absorb punches and well, Donovan could pop.
Could go either way. Sure, Ruddock can punch, but I think Ken's victories are much more significant than Ruddock's, imo. Razor didn't always step up solidly to the plate in big fights. If he fights timidly, he'll be outworked. But if he's aggressive early, then he has a great shot.
I'm not sure I buy into the whole 'Norton couldn't beat punchers' theory, on other nights he may have beat Shavers and Cooney. But I'd go with Rudduck early or Norton late/decision, actually Norton has the power to score an early KO himself Anyway his win over big punching Garcia, a good fight [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-947JxyOgdk&playnext=1&list=PL3A13821682ACADF3[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmmlh9erxFM&feature=related[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKT5BWmtvwg&feature=related[/ame]
With ultra-caution, Ruddock is a winnable fight for Norton. But I can certainly understand why many would pick Ruddock and it would be none too surprising if he won. I just think Ken gets underestimated sometimes. Ruddock was overly cautious in some fights and not guaranteed to charge out like Shavers and get Ken.
Ken's cross armed defense could leave him open for the left hook to the labonza. Garcia was badly fading when Norton rematched him, yet Jose was still able to buckle Kenny. Prime for prime, Ruddock is going to unload at some point, and probably at the outset with Norton being as slow a starter as he was. Razor took out Lakusta, Broad and Ribalta in the opening round, and decked Morrison in the first. Ken would have his work cut out for him just to hear the bell ending the first three minutes.
