NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – Donovan "Razor" Ruddock, returning to the ring after an 18-month layoff, won a 10-round split decision against Harold Sconiers on Friday night.

The 36-year-old Ruddock, a one-time contender in the heavyweight ranks, raised his career record to 37-5-1.

"I thought I had the fight," Ruddock said. "I thought I hit him with some harder shots. He was a little busier than I was, but he wasn't connecting or doing any damage at all. I was just biding my time."

Ruddock, who weighed in at 254 pounds, absorbed repeated shots to the body in the early rounds, when the 202-pound Sconiers was at his best. But Ruddock took over in the sixth and seventh rounds.

Sconiers (14-8) recovered in the eighth, jabbing and holding, but looked tired. Ruddock connected in the ninth, landing a big overhand right and a series of combinations had Sconiers buckling against the ropes.

Judges Joe Ware (96-93) and Don Ackerman (95-94) scored the fight for Ruddock, while Frank Adams had Sconiers ahead 95-94.

"The inactivity played a part," Ruddock said. "I'm not disappointed, considering it's the first time I've been in the ring in a year and a half. A few more fights like this and I'm there."

Ruddock is tentatively scheduled to fight Joe Mesi in Niagara Falls in July.

Mesi (19-0, 17 KOs) stopped Cuba's Jorge Luis Gonzalez (31-7) in the fourth round Friday night. Gonzalez is a former world amateur champion.