Mike Tyson vs. Donovan Ruddock, billed as Fight of the Year, was a professional boxing match contested on March 18, 1991 at the Mirage in Paradise, Nevada.

The bout was a twelve-round championship eliminator fight, with the winner becoming the mandatory challenger to Holyfield's crown.

Tyson, the former champion, defeated Ruddock by technical knockout in the seventh round but the circumstances surrounding the stoppage nearly caused a riot and a rematch was signed to settle the dispute.

[3] Tyson instead would fight James "Buster" Douglas on February 11, 1990 in Tokyo, where he would be knocked out in a massive upset and lose his belts.

He defeated 1984 Olympic gold medalist Henry Tillman on June 16 and then beat undefeated up-and-coming prospect Alex Stewart on December 8.

Ruddock, meanwhile, had won twenty-five of his first twenty-seven fights, with his only defeat coming at the hands of journeyman David Jaco early in his career.

The first event on the PPV card saw former multi-weight world champion Roberto Durán face former sparring partner Pat Lawlor.

In the 6th round a right hand from Lawlor landed on the shoulder of Durán, causing him to grabbed his it, bend over and grimace in pain.

After a closely fought bout, Brown would drop Blocker 32 seconds into the 10th round with a right-left hook combination.

Blocker would beat the count but Brown would spend the rest of the round chasing him until catching with a flurry of rights.

Blocker appeared hurt and dropped his hands prompting referee Mills Lane to stop the bout.

After being hit with a left hook to the shoulder, Ruddock tripped over Tyson's right leg and fell to the canvas.

Tyson's trainer Richie Giachetti attempted to restrain Delroy but a melee ensued that also involved Ruddock's promoter Murad Muhammad.