If Bowe vs Mercer would of happened

Mercer was not mentally capable of beating Ferguson, there would of been little chance that he would have turned around his attitude in such little time to give a near prime Bowe a proper match.

I would think Bowe wins at least a lopsided decision, maybe even a late stoppage win.

 

Mercer might be the single most overrated fighter of the era for me. The Lennox fight that all the credit today seems to stem from was more of the exception than the norm.

The couple of rated guys he actually beat, he needed come from behind knockouts to do so. Tough, crude slugger with a chin was about his level. The Lewis fight, though it could've been a draw, was a bit of an over achievement given the way the rest of his career shook out.

A motivated Bowe is flat out better than a motivated Mercer, and the same goes for the unmotivated versions.

 

mercer was short and stocky and strong bowe was a giant with a solid chin and good inside game.
If mercer could draw him into a slugfest hed have his best chance, and bowe loved a fight. Holyfield and golota dropped bowe an golota had him wobbling out on his feet on many occasions especially in their second fight so I think mercer represents a solid danger.
Bowe would start favourite and has all the tools to win it but not a foregone conclusion. would've been a good matchup

 

Ray Mercer and Bowe was a rivalry, circa 1991, that never seemed to come to a simmer. By 1992, Mercer was mentally cruising, having bought into his press clippings. By 1992, Bowe was surging forward. Had this match happened then, Bowe by late stoppage, to these eyes.

The Ray Mercer of 1995 through about 1998 was a vastly different animal, sporting an underrated and at-times, sneaky busy left jab, which accounted for his unlikely success with Holyfield and Lewis. THAT Ray Mercer would have matched far better with the Bowe of 1992, losing a close decision.

The trick is this. Bowe seemed to get around the division's big hitters whereas Lewis and Holyfield faced them. The likelihood is that Bowe would have been busy with others had Mercer actually risen to the forefront.

 

I'm a little surprised Mercer didn't get the shot at Bowe anyway, what with Ferguson's losses to Dokes and Tubbs the year before. Lyle lost to Young in February and then fought Ali in May. 'Course Lyle didn't offer Young $100 grand to go down.

 

Bowe would've lost his title. Ferguson was a mandatory, I think.

 

I will give Ray this- the jab he developed gave a good glimpse at what could've been had he stayed focused and maximized his development. He was outjabbing Lennox in their fight.

 

Well I know you can't always go by a beat b and b beat c, so a will beat c. But I think it applies to this case. Bowe would beat Mercer. He had a massive height and reach advantage. Granted, he didn't always use it. I think Bowe would get hitplenty by Mercer, but have the chin to absorb and answer with his own. Mercer had a great chin and I think he would hold up to Bowe's power. I think Bowe would win a decision with better work rate.

 

honestly if mercer came in shape like he did against holyfield at 224 lbs he might give bowe fits with that ram rod jab/ but if i were to bet the house i would say bowe via 12 rd dec ...

 

ferguson was not his mandotory = ferguson lost 4 staright fights before beating mercer

 

Bowe by clear decision although there are a few exciting moments in the fight when Bowe decides to go toe to toe. If Mercer ever started to get the best of the close exchanges Bowe could simply box his ears off.

 

The fight is up to Rid****, if he chooses to box he wins a very close but UD, if he chooses to go toe to toe brawl/bar fight, he gets KTFO, or ref stoppage..

To be blunt, Bowe was a better boxer, Ray was a hardcore banger who could bring it, and had the sack to get into the ring with Lewis, whom Bowe chickened out against...:-(

I dunno flip a coin, this ones 50-50:huh

 

Nice post Ned. Welcome to the board.

 

Thank you. :good