I think it's 50/ 50. Dokes' boxing ability and punching power was tremendous but his chin was suspect. I could foresee a Dokes UD or MD or a late Mercer knockout. Either is highly likely. I like these two to split two fights. Dokes UD 10, Mercer KO 9.
Similar sort of thing to Wilder / Dokes. Dokes the better boxer, Ray with the chin and the punch. I think I'll take Mecer as the more consistent performer at high level. He ran Lewis close and I don't see Dokes doing that. He stretchered out Damiani and I think Damiani is better than Dokes too.
Dokes was better in my opinion, and Mercer didn't have the punching power to make him a likely threat to KO Dokes.
Good match up this one. Dokes had fast hands and genuine skill. Mercer was teak tough and a real one punch, home run hitter. I can imagine plenty of good toe to toe action as both these guys liked to fight. I just can't get Mercer's performance against Lewis out of my head when I think about this fight. Ray would have given any Heavyweight in history a terrific fight that night and, for me, that makes him too good for Dokes. Mercer any time after the seventh.
This is a fun fight. I'd root for dokes but only because mercer fits the bill of the bully knockout artist. Not sure who would win
Who did Mercer ever stop ? Morrison ? Damiani ? That's about it. Mercer wasn't a massive puncher at all. Dokes was nothing special but he was better than Mercer. Mercer's whole reputation these days seems to rest on Lennox Lewis having a shockingly close fight with him.
Coetzee was the only fighter to KO prime Dokes. Coetzee had a devastating right hand. Dokes went 15 rounds with Weaver, who was a better puncher than Mercer. A prime Holyfield had to hit Dokes with absolutely everything to get Dokes out of there. Dokes was already past it then, and Ruddock was certainly a devastating puncher too.
Im agreeing with you on dokes winning by a decision, but I think Mercer has the power to take him out. Just my opinion
Mercer was befuddled by skilled boxers, and Dokes fit that bill. Damiani, old Holmes, old Witherspoon. Prime Dokes is up there.
Well, I said it wasn't likely, I mean I wouldn't expect it, hence why I have Dokes likely to win. Of course, Mercer has enough power to possibly win by stoppage. Just not enough to make it the likely outcome, for me.