Shavers was losing too, and by stoppage at times. I will add Lyle and Quarry were better than anyone Cooney faced pre title shot. Bob Stallings not so much. Soi basically Shavers was vulnerable as well as frightening. I'm tempted to say if Shavers was really mollycoddled he may have built up awesome hype but he still might lose given the Stallings result.
I never liked Ruddock, his footwork was non existent, his defense was horrible, and his skill level was low. What he did have was a good chin and great power. Cooney was technically better but his chin was bad especially later