Than your picking the Ruddock who edged a washed up Weaver to out box peak Baer? The Smash is what got Ruddock to the big time and earned him his signature wins because he wasn't a very good boxer.
Rudduck was as much a one trick pony as any one trick pony. Baer at his best gets to him with his right before the "smash" lands. Baer ko 6 over Rudduck.
And Baer was slow, lunged with his punches, and weak defensively. Young Ruddock outjabs him; older Ruddock knocks his block off with a smash or two.
Funny you should pick on Ruddock's defence... when Baer's surely is much worse! Baer was possibly the crudest modern heavyweight champ, with wild, telegraphed swings... and absolutely no idea of how to slip/block punches. Ruddock by ko in about 4 rounds.