The Tyson v Ruddock fights.

Tyson must have lost them, since Tyson always lost against boxers who stood up to him. Two very big wins for Ruddock, then.

 

I thought Ruddock showed a lot of courage. Tyson at that time was working with Richie Giachetti, and although leagues better than Jay Bright and the other moron, he got away from a lot of his head movement. Thats what made Tyson so special in my opinion, was the way he could move forward avoid punches and counter so quickly. He still had some of that stuff programmed from the past, but it was clear he was a lot easier to hit.
Tyson at that point was still a fighter though, and thats why he was able to dish out so much punishment over 12 rounds, in a grueling fight. And yes for all those people who thought Tyson had no heart and folded anytime anyone stood up to him, take a look at that fight. Ruddock wasnt the greatest fighter, but he had real good power, and he actually tried to fight Tyson which besides maybe Ribalta was a rare sight, and he was able to hang in there for 12 rounds, even though he looked like the elephant man after the fight. To me that second fight basically ended Ruddocks career.

 

ruddock just didnt have the proper skills or chin to last.

 

Or brains.

I thought it showed 2 guys who were really not the top dogs anymore but the next level down. Ruddock fought a stupid fight and even if he fights a smarter bout he still probably loses.
And what happened to those Tyson finishing skills? It sure wasn't the same guy pre-Douglas in there. That guy gets a Ruddock out of there quick and capitalizes on those wide telegraphed punches and woefull workrate. That Ruddock defense whould not have lasted 19 rounds against a Mike Tyson. And an opportunist is always going to have lots of chances in a Razor Ruddock bout.

 

Yeah just saw some flashes of the old Tyson. You heard Ferdie Pacheco commenting on how that was the old Tyson, when he would rip off a nice combination stepping in and out, but then he would get wild, and get hit. For whats its worth, they made such a big deal out of the early stoppage in the first fight, but Ruddock was on his way to being laid out. The second fight destroyed Ruddock, he completely lost his legs from the beating he took.

 

I felt both figths were real good action fights. Ruddock showed lots of heart as did Tyson. Both guys were huge punchers and took some big shots. However, although Tyson after Rooney was regressing and his defense and combinations were not as evident as they used to be, one thing i would like to say is Tyson wanted to be macho in those fights. I believe in the first and maybe in the second as well he pointed to his chin telling rudock to hit him. Thus, the Razor smashed Tyson and knocked his mouthpiece out. I think Tyson in 1992 still had the talent to be back in top form he just did not have the same focus he had crica 85-88.

 

I thought Tyson and Ruddock were about the two best heavyweights on the scene at that time. Ruddock hadn't lost to Lewis yet, and Tyson was still fast, quick, and explosive.

 

Disagree. I thought Tyson was on the other side of the mountain and would never be the same guy >
Douglas. Ruddock I never thought a whole lot of and was a guy that was going to get beat once he started fighting live bodies and top 10 competiti9on. There were some pedigreed up and comers like Holyfield/Lewis/Bowe/Mercer/Morrison/etc. and some dark horse contender types around like Gary Mason and such. That type of up and coming youth was something I sure didn't think Ruddock wou7ld deal with very well & Tyson was going to have a much tougher time with that class of guys than the oldsters he was used to fighting like Thomas/Tubbs/Holmes/etc.

 

Mike Tyson was in better shape for the first fight, and in both fights Razor Ruddock fought like a complete ******.

No Jab, no movement..and he could hardly throw straight punches.

Mike Tyson beat him down, bad in the second fight.

Mike Tyson suffered a burst ear drum i heard, during the rematch aswell.

 

I had a heated discussion with my brother about Ruddock - Tyson I vs. Lewis - Vitali.

Which fight was the better do you think? I honestly thought Ruddock - Tyson I was nothing compared to Lewis - Vitali :verysad

Going back, I see Tyson clinching too much for my liking.

 

Both fights were very raw and rugged, i love the intensity of the 1st fight, the second one had a very odd feel about the atmosphere.. i was there and the place was kinda quiet until the first knockdown was scored.. i thought it was a bravely boxed fight from Donovan but he was completely shut out and it definitely was a different Ruddock after the 1st fight, and he actually never looked or boxed with the same tenacity again..

 

Your right Bigcat, he had reached the pinnacle of boxing fighting somewhat competitively against the sports marquee fighter, only to be beaten down in a one sided rematch. Mentally he was never the same, and thats why I dont put as much merit in the Lewis blowout of Ruddock, especially considering the inconsistency in which Lewis fought in his next four fights.

 

watch the tape of Ruddock v Lewis closely, and as he was having his robe removed as the referee was about to give instructions he was almost shouting bravado at lewis, a real sign of a nervous or even scared fighter who was extremely wary of Lennox, he knew lewis when they were kids and he just realised that this wasn't the same kid he used to spar with , it was a different beast almost 28 pounds heavier and 100lbs stronger.. You could almost read between the lines (OHHHHH **** what have i gotten myself into here.....) He was a lamb to the slaughter, and he knew it....