Razor Ruddock enters boxing ring in Jamaica
At the age of 59, Donovan “Razor” Ruddock stepped back into the boxing ring in an exhibition match against former heavyweight boxer James Toney (55) held in Kingston, Jamaica. The Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) alongside the Ruddock family announced on November 7, 2023 that the boxing event was being held to help raise money for charity in Jamaica. The JCA routinely hands out awards to those in the Jamaican community that stand out amongst us. As part of their announcement with the Ruddock family, JCA President David Betty visited the historic marker on Islington Avenue that has Razor Ruddock’s boxing story on it. Tobits Ruddock, who grew up on Rubydale Gardens, had officially been in his brother’s corner since the match with Michael Dokes in 1990. Razor’s daughter, Karese Ruddock, stressed the significance of encouraging young boys to get into boxing, very much like her father did.
The boxing extravaganza was held on November 11, 2023 in an effort to raise funds for Razor’s former Jamaican primary school. The Good Hope School in St. Catherine, Jamaica. Part of the proceeds also went to the Jamaican Boxing Board’s “Gloves over Guns” program. It has been established in an effort to help guide Jamaican youth into the sport of boxing instead of seeing them intimidated into street violence or other problematic areas.
The event, called Rumble in the Sun, featured two amateur bouts, four matches with local Jamaican fighters and a musical show by artist Beenie Man.
The match proved to be highly competitive with the opening two, three-minute rounds, considered very close to judge. With both men breathing heavily, the boxing commission adjusted rounds three through six to be only two-minute rounds. Round four proved to be most explosive with both men exchanging powerful punches and showing their toughness. By the end of six rounds, with neither man going down, the referee ruled the match a draw. Both Razor Ruddock and James Toney can be recognized for taking the time to display their great skills in an effort to raise funds for a good cause
