Mike Tyson’s first real test as a heavyweight prospect came against a ‘palooka’ who had stopped Donovan ‘Razor’ Ruddock the previous year.
David Jaco halted Ruddock due to a respiratory illness that almost ended the Canadian puncher’s career. However, Ruddock would come again and ironically faced Tyson in the future.
Jaco, who readily admits he would have fought anyone for money, admitted, “I was a palooka, one of those guys who basically goes in there looking for a big payday. I made thousands when I fought but didn’t consider myself a palooka [like everybody else did]. I was a decent fighter.”
His boxing career ended in 1994 after a world tour that included bouts in China and Brazil. The now 70-year-old is the first boxer of note on Tyson’s record. Jaco says it was worth the beating even though he lost to Tyson as part of a nine-fight-streak of defeats after the Ruddock win.
Mike Tyson vs David Jaco
He lasted only 136 seconds in the ring with Mike. Jaco made over $36 per second.
“That $5,000 I made from Tyson changed my life,” Jaco told ESPN in a post-career interview. “Who would think that kind of money could do that?”
On sharing the squared circle with Tyson, he added, “He was quick, like a cat. He came in so low to the ground. I was bent over, trying to hit him. But he just came up, and bang, bang. He was for real back then.”
After being dropped three times, the third man in the ring saved Jaco from punishment before complimenting him on his short effort. However, Jaco disagreed with the knockdown count.
“The referee came up to me and said, ‘Nice fight, David. I said, ‘What the hell are you talking about?’ He said, ‘You’ve been down three times!’ I said, ‘Bull—-! I’ve only been down twice!”
Palooka
Summing up his tenure in the sport, Jaco concluded, “People hear all the big names I fought and say, ‘Wow, you got money.’ But I haven’t got any money because I never made any [real] money.
“I’m one of those guys on the B side. I was a palooka. I was put in there as a stepping-stone for a win. But for an old palooka, life is pretty good. I got a nice house, a good woman, four new daughters, and a great job.”
The Ohio man’s record read 24-25-1 after an even fifty bouts, with 19 coming via way of knockout.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
