Donovan Ruddock

Donovan "Razor" Ruddock (born December 21, 1963) is a Jamaican-born Canadian former professional boxer who competed from 1982 to 2001 and in 2015.

As an amateur boxer, Ruddock had a win over Lennox Lewis in March 1980 in Toronto at the Ontario Junior Boxing Championship, winning via a split decision (3:2) in the 75 kg weight class (165 lbs).

He turned pro in 1982, but his career started slowly, having only 11 fights between 1982 and 1985.

He won eight of his first nine fights, but drew his fifth.

More controversy would follow in April 1985 when he lost to journeyman David Jaco, who would be KO'd by a young Mike Tyson the next year.

After eight rounds Ruddock's corner threw in the towel when he complained of breathing problems.

Jaco was awarded a TKO victory.

It was discovered Ruddock had a rare respiratory illness and doctors told him his career would be over.

To his doctors' surprise, Ruddock made a full recovery within 10 months and resumed his boxing career by winning nine straight fights.

Eight were by KO, with the ninth a win by decision win over former WBA heavyweight title-holder Mike Weaver.

Ruddock would win the Canadian heavyweight championship in 1988 on a first-round knockout of Ken Lakusta.

Ruddock was also known for his exceptionally heavy punching; some of the best examples of his left hand and overall power was his knockouts of former WBA heavyweight champions James Smith in 1989, Michael Dokes in 1990, and Greg Page in 1992.

His favoured weapon at the ring proved to be a highly versatile half-hook, half-uppercut left-handed punch he called "The Smash" which accounted for the majority of his knockout wins -- it also happened to be his major downside throughout his career.

Being a left-handed puncher fighting out of the orthodox stance, he didn't throw a single right hand during most knockout flurries.

Ruddock was born in St. Catherine, Jamaica.

At age 11, he left Jamaica with his family and moved to Toronto, settling in the city's Weston neighbourhood.

Ruddock attended Emery Collegiate Institute and Westview Centennial Secondary School, when he was a teenager.

In 1989, after two more wins by KO, a fight was arranged with another former WBA heavyweight champion -- James "Bonecrusher" Smith.

Ruddock was knocked down in round two but got up, regrouped and stopped Smith in the seventh round.

This victory placed him in line for a title bout against undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, scheduled for November 1989 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Tyson, claiming illness, canceled and opted instead to fight James "Buster" Douglas in Tokyo in February 1990.

Tyson would go on to lose in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.

In 1990, Ruddock fought former heavyweight champion Michael Dokes.

Ruddock went into the fight as underdog but put on one of the best performances of his career knocking out Dokes in the 4th round.

Dokes appeared to be seriously stunned on the ropes after taking Ruddock's famous "Smash" left hook.

A right hand followed, which appeared to put Dokes out, but Ruddock threw another two hooks to knock Dokes out cold for several minutes.

After another KO win over Kimmuel Odum in 1990, Ruddock had difficulty finding a marquee opponent.

Ruddock hoped to fight Evander Holyfield (fresh from a KO win over James "Buster" Douglas for the heavyweight championship).

Instead, Holyfield opted to fight 42-year-old George Foreman.

With no big name opponent, Ruddock took a warm up fight against Mike Rouse in December 1990 winning by 1st round knockout.

He is known for his two fights against Mike Tyson in 1991, a fight against Lennox Lewis in 1992, and a fight with Tommy Morrison in 1995.

In January 1991, Mike Tyson accepted Ruddock's challenge and fight was scheduled for March 18.

It would pit Tyson, the number #1 contender, against Ruddock who was number #2, for the right to fight the winner of Holyfield-Foreman.

Ruddock was dropped in round three but fought back until referee Richard Steele stopped the fight in Tyson's favor during round 7.

Some fans were unhappy with the decision and fights erupted in the stadium.

Steele had to be escorted out of the ring after the angry protests.

A rematch was held June 28, 1991 and lasted a full 12 rounds.

Tyson knocked Ruddock down twice during the bout, and won by unanimous decision.

Both fighters were injured; Ruddock had a broken jaw and Tyson suffered a perforated eardrum.

Sports Illustrated reported that Ruddock's jaw may have been broken as early as the fourth round.