MIKE TYSON vs. DONOVAN RUDDOCK (1) Onsite 

Description : Here we have the onsite poster produced by the Mirage/Don King Productions for the 1st collision between Mike Tyson & No2 Heavyweight contender Donovan "Razor" Ruddock.

After losing the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship to James "Buster" Douglas on February 11, 1990, Mike Tyson embarked on a comeback hopes of regaining his title. First, he knocked out 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist and former amateur opponent, Henry Tillman in the first round. Then, he met up-and-coming prospect Alex Stewart, whose 26 victories had all come by way of knockout. Despite Stewart's impressive resume, Tyson picked up another easy victory by way of 1st round technical knockout, knocking down Stewart three times in only 147 seconds. After those two victories, a match between Tyson, who was the number one ranked Heavyweight, and Donovan "Razor" Ruddock, who was ranked number two, was agreed upon. On December 9, 1990, the day after Tyson defeated Stewart, Tyson promoter Don King announced Ruddock would indeed be Tyson's next opponent while also announcing that Tyson and Showtime had agreed to a blockbuster pay-per-view deal that would pay Tyson $120 million.

The fight was a hard brutal fought affair, with both men hitting each other with power punches throughout the fight. Early in the second round, Tyson scored a controversial knockdown. After being hit with a left hook to the shoulder, Ruddock tripped over Tyson's right leg and fell to the canvas. Referee Richard Steele awarded Tyson with the knockdown. Shortly after, Tyson would illegally hit Ruddock with a right hand as the two men were being separated by Steele, though Steele did not deduct a point from Tyson. Ruddock would suffer another knockdown late in round 3. After hitting Tyson with a straight left hand with less than 10 seconds to go in the round, Tyson unloaded with a left hook to the side of Ruddock's head that dropped Ruddock to the canvas. Ruddock was able to get up at the count of 8 just as the round ended. The fight was stopped with less than a minute remaining in 7th. Tyson was able to hit Ruddock with a six-punch combination. Though Ruddock remained on his feet and appeared to be in a condition to continue, Steele stepped between the two fighters and stopped the fight, awarding Tyson the victory by TKO.

Everyone went ape shit in Ruddocks camp, with Ruddock's brother and manager, Delroy storming the ring to confront referee Richard Steele. Tyson's trainer Richie Giachetti attempted to restrain Delroy but a melee ensued that also involved Ruddock's promoter Murad Muhammad. Mirage security had to break up the scuffle and escort Steele to safety.

Postage: 10.00 Special Delivery... 20.00 International.