Donovan Ruddock

Biography

Donovan "Razor" Ruddock, born on December 21, 1963, in Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica, rose to prominence as one of the most dangerous punchers of his era. A towering 6'3" orthodox heavyweight with an 81.9" reach, Ruddock possessed devastating power, especially in his signature "Smash" punch—a hybrid between an uppercut and a hook. Moving to Canada as a teenager, Ruddock honed his craft in Weston, Ontario, eventually transitioning from a promising amateur career into a notable professional campaign.

Ruddock made his professional debut on March 20, 1982, at the Columbus Centre in Toronto, securing a fourth-round TKO victory over Wes Rowe. Early in his career, Ruddock displayed a knack for power punching, quickly earning a reputation as a heavy hitter. However, he was sidelined in 1985 after being diagnosed with a rare respiratory ailment, prompting speculation about the viability of his boxing future. After a two-year hiatus, Ruddock returned to the ring, revitalized and determined to make a mark in the heavyweight division.

Ruddock faced many world-class opponents throughout his career, cementing his reputation as a formidable contender. His rise gained traction with notable victories, including an impressive seventh-round stoppage of former WBA heavyweight champion Michael Dokes in 1990. The bout showcased Ruddock's resilience and knockout power, firmly placing him in the upper echelons of the heavyweight ranks. Later that year, in the seventh round, he stopped another former champion, James "Bonecrusher" Smith, further solidifying his status.

Ruddock's clashes with Mike Tyson in 1991 remain some of the most brutal encounters of the era. Their first meeting, on March 18, 1991, ended controversially in the seventh round when the referee stopped the bout with Ruddock still on his feet, prompting outrage from fans and Ruddock's camp. A rematch followed on June 28, 1991, which Tyson won via unanimous decision after twelve gruelling rounds. Both fights highlighted Ruddock's durability and Tyson's respect for his punching power, as Tyson admitted afterwards that Ruddock was one of the hardest punchers he had ever faced.

In 1992, Ruddock's path crossed with another future legend, Lennox Lewis, in a WBC heavyweight title eliminator. On October 31 at Earls Court in London, the bout was anticipated to be a showcase for Ruddock, who entered as the number-one contender and a 2-1 favourite. Instead, Lewis overwhelmed Ruddock, knocking him down three times en route to a stunning second-round TKO. The loss marked a turning point in Ruddock's career as he struggled to regain his previous momentum.

Ruddock would challenge for the heavyweight crown once more in 1995, facing Tommy Morrison in a bout for the lightly regarded IBC heavyweight title. In a thrilling back-and-forth encounter, Ruddock dropped Morrison in the first round but ultimately suffered a sixth-round TKO after being caught by Morrison's power punches. Despite the loss, the fight exemplified Ruddock's willingness to engage in high-stakes battles against dangerous opponents.

After a prolonged absence from the sport, Ruddock made an unexpected return in 2015, more than a decade after his previous fight. His comeback campaign ended on September 11, 2015, when he faced Dillon Carman for the Canadian heavyweight title at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. At the age of 51, Ruddock was stopped in the third round, marking the conclusion of his career with a professional record of 40 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, including 30 knockouts.

Ruddock's legacy lies in his devastating power and role as a dangerous opponent during the heavyweight division's golden age of the late 1980s and early 1990s. His clashes with Tyson, Lewis, and Morrison, along with his victories over Dokes and Smith, cement his place as one of the era's most memorable punchers.