LAST night in Quebec, Canada, Donovan “Razor” Ruddock won a six-round majority decision over fellow Canadian, Eric Barrak. Ruddock, now aged 51 and having the second fight in an unlikely ring return that was launched with an up-from-the-floor stoppage win in March of this year – met pro boxer/ sometime MMA fighter Barrak in what was the 1990’s top contender’s second fight since coming back after a 14-year layoff.

Barrak, 37 and coming off a second-round stoppage defeat that took place back in September of last year, came out fast with some powerful hooks. Not in the best of shape, Barrak was going for a quick KO win. Ruddock, his hands held quite low, appeared hurt in the second round but he saw out the rough spell and, as Barrak’s attack faded, the veteran used his experience to win the later rounds. It was a close affair and at the end both men felt they had won.

The scores were 58-56, 58-56 and 57-57.

Ruddock, who says he will stay active and believes he can get all the way back to challenging for first the Canadian and then the world title, is now 40-5-1 (30). Barrak is now 8-3 (7).