Prime versions of both men. I would say the best Ruddock would be somewhere around the Bonecrusher Smith Fight up until the Tyson fight. So between 89-91. And as far as Golota the best Golota has to be the one who fought Bowe twice (minus the meltdowns) so the 96 version. And go!! Two of my favorites
Hard to pick Golota, given his famous fall aparts. I pick Ruddock by a harsh KO somewhere after the 5th round.
I like Ruddock. He was big, fast, powerful and got off the deck to destroy some good opponents. Would've loved to have seen Ruddock-Bruno which would've been a barnburner. Also Ruddock against Foreman, C00ney, Bowe, Mercer, Moorer, Holyfield, Tucker...you name it.
Golota I think was the more rounded fighter with better skills, but as mentioned before he had a tendency to fold under pressure. But even if Golota gives us one of his performances where he shows some mental fortitude I suspect his susceptibility to punchers could see him come unstuck. Ruddock by KO.
Good responses everyone. Everyone seems to fall into line with my own rational. Golota seemed to use all of his available tools more readily then Ruddock. He would pump his jab and fought a little more polished except in those moments where he was either trying to finish an opponent or was in some sort of peril himself and he would revert to illegal tactics.. I can see a scenario where he hurts Ruddock and finishes him early but more than likely even if he hurts the Razor I'd expect Ruddock to surrvive the storm and either hurt Golota and take him out at some point or force Andrew into melting down.. But this is a pretty even fight in my eyes.
Golota finishes Ruddock by the 11th. The Polish-born idol of millions is too rough, tough, aggressive, and strong for the Canadian heavyweight. Does Golota have some anger issues in the ring which threaten his chances of winning? Sure, but his biggest knock always came against such Hall of Fame heavyweights as Bowe, Lewis, and Tyson. Ruddock is not in their league. He doesn't possess the makeup that it takes to frustrate Andrew enough. Instead, I see the opposite scenario unfolding. I see Andrew struggling until he clinches Donovan. Ruddock understandably loses his nerve and then the fight in 11 rounds (or less but either way this one does not go the distance). Ironically, Golota would win by a DQ most likely when Ruddock refuses to take the Pole's roughhouse tactics and commits a foul himself (but a too serious foul) that gives the refferre no choice but to halt the action and award Andrew what would be the biggest victory of his career. [SEE GOLOTA-PO'UHA FOR AN IDEA OF HOW RUDDOCK-GOLOTA WOULD HAVE PANNED OUT]
No way in Hell do I pick Golota over Ruddock. As soon as Ruddock lands "The Smash", Golota would look for a way out. Either by flat out quitting, or getting himself DQ'd. OR... he freezes up, and Ruddock turns his lights out. Either way, Ruddock wins.