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| (Image Source: FITE/Triller Sports/Red Ground Productions) |
Donovan "Razor" Ruddock, the Jamaican-Canadian boxing Heavyweight Champion, will return to his birthplace of Jamaica for an epic exhibition match-up against another boxing champion and International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee, America's James "Lights Out" Toney, on November 11, 2023 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston, Jamaica. Previously slated to take place at Sabina Park, the event will mark Ruddock's first time competing in a boxing match in Jamaica. Grammy award winning Jamaican entertainer Beenie Man, the ‘King of the Dancehall', will also headline the event as the night's entertainer.
Ruddock's former primary school, Red Ground District Primary School, will be one of the main beneficiaries from proceeds of the match. "I wanted to do something for my school, my community and my country. Returning to the ring for such a huge fight will bring attention and much needed funds to a place I still consider home." says Ruddock. Noted as one of the 100 greatest punchers of all time due to his signature "smash", an impression and hybrid left-hand punch, Ruddock has garnered knockout wins against former WBA heavyweight champions Michael Dokes and James "Bonecrusher" Smith and held the WBA inter-continental heavyweight title. In 1991, Ruddock battled against "Iron'' Mike Tyson in two matches, one of which he fought nine rounds despite sustaining a broken jaw in round three. Ruddock's opponent James Toney has held "world champions in three weight classes" and was voted Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) in 1991 and 2003. Since becoming a professional boxer at age 20 and winning his first fight against Stephen Lee in October 1988, Toney has competed in 92 fights including 77 wins and 47 knockouts. Toney returns to the ring after a six-year hiatus following his 2017 unanimous vote and win against Mike Sheppard.
Rumble In The Sun is endorsed by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports and by the Jamaican Boxing Board whose Gloves Over Guns initiative is set to benefit from part proceeds. "There are youth today using boxing as a platform for personal development, social support and community cohesion. Having them witness such an event will further cement in their minds boxing as a vehicle for the way forward," says Jamaica Boxing Board president Stephen "Bomber" Jones. Rumble in the Sun will be broadcast on global sports and entertainment digital platform FITE by Triller live worldwide on pay-per-view (PPV) as well as via traditional cable and satellite networks across North America. "Triller is extremely excited heading down the final stretch into the Rumble in the Sun with the phenomenal legends of Razor Ruddock and James Toney."Working in lock step the Fight's promoter Red Ground Productions has been an amazing experience and we look forward to a long standing partnership into the future," said Triller Sports President David Tetreault.
For the latest information and updates on Rumble In The Sun: Ruddock vs. Toney, visit the event website at www.rumbleinthesun.com.
