Anthony Joshua vs Ray Mercer primes (Poll added)

I don't feel like Joshua could pull off the same performance that Lewis did. He will lose.

 

I think a prime Mercer would be a nightmare for Joshua.

 

Mercer is so many kinds of wrong for AJ in my humble opinion. It could resemble the Morrison fight with AJ looking like a world beater for the early rounds before being brutally, and yes, mercilessly stopped. Is AJ higher on 'the list'? Of course, undoubtedly. But, to paraphrase our 'enery's trainer, who said the same thing about Liston, whilst he undoubtedly matches up well with most heavyweights, he shouldn't walk on the same side of the street as Mercer.

 

There are so many versions of both AJ and Mercer.

The recent version of AJ who brutally KO'd Francis would probably stop Mercer late, but the fight would be very competitive and rough.

 

You are of course right about the versions of both fighters, but for me, the best performance of AJ life was in his second losing dance with Usyk, and before that in getting off the canvas to beat elder statesman Wlad. In the Ngannou fight he merely did what he should have and knocked out an incredibly limited boxer who reacted to every feint and put himself on a platter for his opponent.

 

Mercer

 

I get what you're saying, but it's still an impressive KO because Francis is a huge guy with an extensive combat background (outside of boxing mind you) and went 10 with Fury without even taking a knee so his chin was elite having also taken elbows, kicks, etc. If Mercer is in one of his lazy, lackadaisical going-through-the-motions moods, even his iron chin won't save him from Joshua.

It wasn't just the power. Joshua's timing, accuracy, and setting up of his shots were better than they'd ever been before. He was a truly mature world class fighter that night.

 

I felt the Ngannou fight showed AJ was back for sure. It must have been obvious to him from very early that this guy was a gift for him, but the manner of the surgical, explosive denouement showed he still had the devil in him, he was still a bad man. For me, Francis allowed AJ to show he was mentally back at the top of his game by displaying a tangible representation of the gunslinger he once was, but I feel it was more of a cathartic healing fight for AJ than a glimpse of him at his best. Ngannou went 10 with Fury because Fury had early been lazy, mentally lax and assumed he would be an easy night's work. AJ's power is the one non negotiable attribute he has always had, ot was his willingness to deploy it that had been minimised over the years and Ngannou gave him the opportunity to showcase why he was a highlight reel fighter once more.

Anyhoo, my assumption was we were talking prime v prime and for me in a rather anomalous manner, prime AJ is a much better boxer than prime Mercer but prime Mercer is wrong for him all day, every day and twice on a Sunday!!

 

It just looked better because Ngannou cant box lol, his performance against Fury was a freak because Fury showed up out of shape and tried that leaning **** against someone physically stronger than him.

Joshua's best performance was in Ruiz 2

 

Mercer doesn't have a prayer against the Joshua of Ruiz 2. That Joshua had pretty good lateral movement, a high guard, a consistent jab, good stamina (for a big man), and had good timing and accuracy picking his shots carefully without becoming greedy.

The only issue Joshua would face is Mercer's heavy jab down the middle. Joshua just doesn't move his head enough. That could allow for Mercer to make his way inside and mix things up with his big hooks and body shots like Ruiz did during a few moments of success. I just don't see Mercer getting to Joshua before the final bell, and only manages to win maybe 3-4 rounds.

 

Mercer clobbers Joshua. Mercer is too mentally (and physically) tough. Joshua too mentally weak. Mercer would get battered for a few rounds, then stop a tiring Joshua.

 

Mercer at his best is way to much for AJ. Brutal mid rounds KO.

 

In theory Mercer has the power to knockout Joshua but I think Anthony wins a decision here. More mobile. Better boxer. More physical tools

 

If Joshua fights a smart fight on the outside like he did vs Ruiz he can outbox Mercer clearly.

But if Joshua decides to trade with a motivated Mercer he would be in big trouble. Because Joshua hasn't got the chin or stamina to last with Mercer in the trenches.