What's your Opinion on the 1980/90 s heavyweight contender? What was he capable of, in another decade perhaps? Was he one of the hardest hitters in that era? Was he over rated? Under?
Overrated, but undeniably powerful. I thought he is very entertaining to watch, but completely in love with his power to the point it hampered his effectiveness. Had some good fights against Tyson, got some pretty explosive knockouts, but ultimately didn't make the cut. He's a personal favorite of mine, but I understand his limitations.
1. I think he was a solid contender from 1989-1992. He had good power. Sturdy chin. And the stamina to go 12. His defense was questionable and was somewhat one dimensional in his offense however. 2. I think he was capable of cracking just about any top 10 in any era. Can’t see him winning a title unless it was under unusually favorable circumstances and with a little luck. 3. Yes. He was certainly viewed as one of the hardest hitters of the early 90’s. How does his power size up on an all time scale ? I’m uncertain . I’m guessing he falls into the grouping of men like Gerry Cooney, Frank Bruno and Cleveland Williams but not with fighters like shavers, Forman, Tyson or Wilder. 4. I think he was a bit overhyped during his time and presumably for the purpose of selling tickets. Today boxing fans on forums seem to rate him closer to where he belongs which is “ good “ but not “ great”
Good power good speed he recover easy after he got dropped good chin good jab top 10 heavyweights of 90s should never fought tyson good heart also i think he would have chance against foreman in 91s waste of talent also he didn’t even train later in his career imagine if he didn’t remove that jab was ducked alot also ngl
Perhaps the second most overrated heavyweight of all time. Most 'top contenders' challenge for some title. In fact, even journeymen challenge for titles. But Razor Ruddock didn't. All his hype comes from the two Tyson fights (which he lost) and his wins in the late 80s/ early 90s over 80s champions. Imagine beating 2000s alphabet champions (Sanders, Brewster, Ruiz, Valuev) in the late 2000s and early 2010s. That is what Ruddock did. If he had not fought Tyson, nobody would even remember this guy.
Had he never, mostly abandoned that fine ass jab he had he might have won an alphabet title. As it was he bet the bank on one punch...and he certainly wasn't Joe Frazier.
Don't need to read anything to know what will be said it has been done so many times. "Obsessed with his punch" "Tough but limited" "Wasted Potential" etc
Great post as usual. Myself, I see him as a very dangerous contender. Who would always be in the top twenty of an heavyweight ranking but never good enough to Crack the very top. If he'd come along ten years earlier maybe gets his hands on a alphabet belt. Exciting to watch at times. He proved he had heart against Tyson he wasn't backing down in there.
Top Contender, not champion. He could have achieved so much (with or without Mike Tyson in prison), not to be a champion in that competition. He could have achieved so much in that competition. With or without Mike Tyson in jail. I don't know why he was considered the favorite (probably a media advertisement) to win the "tournament" Holyfield-Bowe, and Lewis-Ruddock. Lewis, Bowe, Holyfield, Bruno... or Tyson, Lewis, Bowe, Holyfield, Bruno... I don't see Razor Ruddock in that competition as a champion.
