Ruddock - Would He Have Always Being Just a Contender?

I don’t think he showed any weakness or stupidity against Phil Jackson. A better opponent would’ve been nice though.

 

The path to boxing greatness is littered with the remains of "also rans" like Ruddock.

Hard to say what his career could have been under better circumstances; but IMO Ruddock was never poised to be an ATG.

In any case it is regrettable Ruddock was stolen of what was his best chance to grab a title because Tyson chickened out and opted to fight Douglas, who was widely seen like less dangerous and perceived as just a harmless journeyman.

Oh, the irony!!!!

 

I thought someone got injured in training—I think it was Tyson—and they planned the fight for after Douglas.

Edit: “Tyson and Ruddock had originally been set to face each other on November 18, 1989, in Edmonton, Alberta, in Ruddock's adopted home country of Canada for Tyson's undisputed world championship. However, the fight was postponed and ultimately cancelled because Tyson was suffering from costochondritis.[2] Tyson instead would fight James "Buster" Douglas on February 11, 1990 in Tokyo, where he would be knocked out in a massive upset and lose his belts.”

 

He had the power and chin to force an upset over some world champions. But I can’t see him ever being established as a “ great “ fighter. There are circumstance under which he might have pulled a McCall or Johansson over somebody

 

Anytime before the rise of Liston with the exception of prime Louis.

 

Agreed. With the exception of Dempsey as well…. He’d never fight him.

 

Dokes drug use in the 80's was well documented, as was many fighters. What was his best win?

 

And just like that, the goalposts move. Zero proof or documentation that Dokes was using cocaine when he was a top 5 contender and having FOTY with Holyfield+fighting Razor and not receiving a contract from Foreman’s camp.

 

Yeah on second thought I could see ruddock beating a lot of champs from 1900 to 1960

 

There are many I can see him beating to be honest. Off the top of my head Charles Martin, Oleg Maskaev, Bruce Seldon, and plenty of these other modern “regular” title holders as well. A lot of chinny guys have held a heavyweight belt at some point. Ruddock would only need to land cleanly once….

 

The problem is that a near-prime Mike Tyson destroyed him. We have no idea what he could have gone on to do had he not had to endure that buzzsaw for 19 rounds.

 

If Liston could be dragged into a fight with Cleveland Williams the bigger 90s reincarnation might be able to spark him.

 

Ruddock would have plenty of chances with a time machine.

 

I think the article shared where Patterson assessed Ruddock's flaws is eye opening. It wasn't an insult, just brutally honest about all the things he should've been working on from day 1 in the gym (footwork, upper body movement, defense, etc). Despite being naturally strong and athletic, Ruddock's body mechanics and fundamentals were off, likely because as Patterson points out, he thought all that mattered was power. Basically, the Wilder of the early 90's.

Maybe if Patterson had been there early on or he worked with Eddie Futch he could've been something truly remarkable. He was on his way to developing a good mid range boxing style working behind his sharp jab, then mutated into a mindless brawler. As others have said, a great coach would've found a way to mix all these ingredients together.

As for what happens if Ruddock is dumped in other eras, I think even the worst decades he may still have issues for the very same flaws that led to him failing to grab a belt in the 90's. Jack Johnson wraps him up, batters his body, and sticks to Ruddock like a vice group with ugly spoiling tactics and defense preventing him from getting any leverage on his looping smashes. Joe Louis would eat him alive seeing those big telegraphed bombs with blistering counters. Liston has trouble, but ultimately prevails in a thrilling war. Ali makes him look stupid making him miss by several feet before picking him apart and cruising a tons convincing decision.

As for 2nd tier champions such as Sharkey, Ingo, Walcott, or one of the underachiever 80's belt holders, it isn't difficult at all to imagine them relinquishing the title to a motivated Ruddock if they got careless for even a second. In the modern day, Wilder would've been an insane 50/50 fight, he'd be a big danger to Joshua (but I think Joshua wins eventually). Fury and Usyk are just too skilled. K bothers beat him up.

 

I think he could possibly have won a belt, I don't see him having a long reign at all though.