Good stoppage. I'm telling you, none of you guys can tell me a thing more about boxing than Lipton. Had they fought earlier it would have probably been the same chances of either KO'ing either. Because, though Ruddock was a bit past his prime, so was Tommy. He had partied way too hard and been beaten down too many times. Both fellows had one-punch power, and oddly enough, both had more heart than sense. It would always be a matter of who convinced the ref first to stop the carnage.
Here it is, some funny commentary from Tyson. Early stoppage only prevented Tyson from killing Ruddock, he was in trouble. [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryV4G4wLdFk&feature=PlayList&p=9BB87B72E2ED9DD5&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=38[/url]
Richard Steele did the right thing in Chavez - Taylor. As you said, he is not the timekeeper. His job is to enforce the rules and to protect the fighters. He could not know there were only two seconds left, as he was focused on Meldrick. I also agree Magoo that Taylor's decline had more to do with the beating he took than anything else. But the stoppage nonetheless will always be seen as incorrect by a large portion of fight fans. I can see that side of it too, although I'd disagree with it.
With the Morrison-Ruddock stoppage too, it was unfortunately only a week or two after a death in the ring due to a late stoppage. I'm sorry I can't remember who the deceased fighter was but RIP anyway. So I think that might've affected it too. Razor's head flying back from that last left would make most refs nervous too, even if I can see the argument that he might've been able to make it to the break. Morrison has said himself that he would've had to take the next round off to get his gas back, he put a lot into trying to finish Ruddock in that 6th. Beautiful left hook as always from Tommy. Anyone ever seen the ones he planted Art Tucker with?
Thats a good question. I would still go with Morrison, because he basically had nothing else but a lefthook. At least Ruddock could mix in a hook with his uppercut, Morrison could only pitty pat with the rest of his punches, including his jab, but his lefthook was deadly.
Tough question. Both of them relied almost completely on their left. Ruddocks smash was lethal but he uses it too much, he had some decent skills when he wanted to use it. Morrisons left hook is also one of the most powerful punches thrown in history, and he had nothing else. Morrisons left was more crucial to his success, but I don't know if it was more effective than the smash that Ruddock landed on Dokes. I can't decide between the two, maybe after reading another post about this I could make a decision
I would lean slightly towards Morrison, but I can't say I'd ever want to find out by taking a shot from either of them. Imagine if either one developed a 2nd or 3rd punch to the same level of proficiency they did for the smash and the left hook. :!: