Mike Tyson agreed to fight Donovan ‘Razor’ Ruddock on March 18, 1991 at the Mirage in Las Vegas, the first bout in his new contract with Showtime. Ruddock was a 6′ 3″ muscular Canadian, with a tremendous left hook, and proved to be Tyson’s biggest test in years. The pre-fight talks got nasty on Tyson’s end, but what could you expect from the ignorant little bastard. I personally was hoping Ruddock would knock his head off, and wouldn’t have missed it for anything.
I had not been on any real vacation from south Jersey in 4 years, and in early March took a much needed trip to Las Vegas for a week, which included 4 days in Los Angeles as well. While in Vegas, I went to the Mirage to see if either fighter was holding public workouts, but unfortunately neither were. Needless to say that even though I didn’t gamble at all, I had a great time seeing shows and eating at different buffets on the strip. I returned home March 11 energized, and also looking forward to the big fight a week later.
It was great having the Pavilion in Cherry Hill, New Jersey to to go to watch closed-circuit bouts. Even though I had gotten a nasty cold upon my return home, antibiotics from my family doctor made me feel better quick, primed and ready to see the March 18th bout live.
Tyson weighed in at a fit 217 lbs., while Ruddock tipped the scales at 228 lbs. Fireworks would fly for certain, between two heavyweights with big punching power.
Razor came out firing bombs from his hips, erasing any doubts that he was serious about winning. Tyson landed his own big shots, and scored a controversial 2nd round knockdown of Ruddock, who tripped over Tyson’s leg and hit the canvas. Another missed call by Richard Steele, who made me nervous every time he showed up to referee a major fight.
Tyson legitimately dropped Razor with a left hook as the third round came to a close, but was up and unhurt as the bell rang. The action throughout had been even and fierce, and I was enjoying seeing Ruddock dish out as well as he took. He proved to me further that the ‘Iron’ Mike stuff was a bunch of crap, something people still believe today, 30 plus years later!
As the seventh round was coming to a close, Tyson landed a bunch of punches that drove Ruddock to the ropes. He grabbed the ropes for support, and as he did, Richard Steele called a halt to the action. He had ruined another big fight for boxing fans, and when it was stopped, melee ensued. Ruddock’s cornerman charged Steele, people flooded the ring, and a full blown brawl broke out. Another exciting night was ruined by Steele, who to me should have been working at a supermarket instead of as a referee.
I went home pleased that Ruddock had done so well, and hoping that a rematch would rectify things. Steele would continue to blow calls in the coming years, until he was basically sent off into pasture where he belonged. It was exciting to have a big powerful heavyweight like Razor on the scene, a legitimate contender for the heavyweight championship as well.
FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
LISTEN TO MY PODCAST ON SPOTIFY AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
