What about if Mercer beat Lewis? That was his second chance at glory. I was at ringside for that fight and it was a very unpopular decision when it was announced in the Garden. Most thought Ray pulled out the victory, personally I felt it was a draw. Mercer could have been the one fighting Mcall for the WBC title. That was the beginning of Lennox Lewis becoming a real fighter, whereas Mercer got knocked right back down from where he came. Mercer was a tough angry guy with good skills, but bad luck and some inconsistent conditioning, ultimately left him in contender status for most of his career.
If Mercer actually came into the fight in shape? Who knows, the guy had potential we only saw in brief glimpses. His weight and activity doomed him just as much as it has any fighter in history.
I don't care if the guy climbed into the ring in better shape than any man who ever dared lace up gloves.....He's not beating Evander Holyfield......Period.....
He almost did against a roided up Holyfield, when he was 240 something pounds with a broken rib late in the fight. Mercer pushed EVERYONE, world class or not, to the edge when he was motivated. Really no exceptions.
Holyfield was coming out of semi-retirement after a year of mending health problems which included a bum shoulder and a heart issue. He had also lost 2 of his last three matches in grueling battles. All this and he managed to floor Mercer and win in comfortable fashion.. Peak Holyfield dominates Mercer and it ain't even close.
When did he "almost beat" Holyfield? And he never fought a version of Holyfield that was better than he had been in '92, that's for sure. More accurately, whenever Mercer failed to push someone to the edge, it was put down to the excuse of him being "unmotivated."
Holyfield had too much skill for Mercer in my opinion, but a fight between the two would have always been tough and entertaining. And for the record: Mercer wasn't legitimately floored by Holyfield; he went down voluntarily to get away from Holyfield's fusilade.
That's still as legitimate a knockdown as any. Plus Mercer was already on rubbery legs when he took the knee.
IMO the fight was close enough to think Mercer could win it if not the knockdown. And with some luck, you can easily imagine Mercer doesn't get his rib(s) broken, so he does not go down in the 8th and is still competitive to the end of the fight.
Holy's hook clearly hurt Mercer which is why Mercer opted to take a break. At least that is how I see it.
mercer might take it in 92, it would be close though. holyfield pre bowe 2 is too small and gets bullied around the ring. also he doesnt have the pop to get mercers respect. the people who tend to give mercer the most trouble are pure boxers, holy is more of a counter puncher. mercer always gives holy all he can handle, and maybe more then he can handle on some on a few occasions.
