And you think you had a hard day.

This senior was in hand-to-hand combat with a huge black bear and is alive to talk about it.

A tough Norman Ruff, 80, was last week awarded an OPP Commissioner’s Citation for bravery for punching the large bear in the head repeatedly with his fist, just like a boxer in a ring.

The bear in July 2019 entered their Township of Muskoka Lakes home around 1:53 a.m. through an open kitchen window, the OPP said in a release.

Ruff left his wife, Lois, in their bedroom for safety, as he went to investigate the ‘rustling noises in his residence.’

He turned on the light and “observed a black bear rummaging through his kitchen.”

“Then bear was startled, reared up and began growling and snarling,” said the OPP. “Without regard for his safety, Ruff stood his ground even as the black bear began to approach him.”

“To protect himself and his wife, Ruff began to fight the bear by repeatedly punching it in the head,” the OPP continued. “The bear fought back, scratching Ruff while continuing to growl and snarl.”

“Mrs. Ruff managed to navigate around the fight to open a door, allowing a bear to eventually exit the house,” police said. “Ruff received cuts to his chest and injured his arms and hands from fighting with the bear, but luckily did not incur serious injuries.”

The senior’s heroic actions were incredible given the immediate dangers he faced, police said.

He was commended by the OPP for his ‘selfless and quick actions that protected his wife and himself from potential serious harm.’

Presenting the citation (in photo) were Superintendent Laura Houliston, Lois Ruff, Norman Ruff, Inspector Mike Burton and Provincial Constable Will Forrest, who responded to original occurrence more than two years ago.