The Bruno coming back after the TKO loss to Tyson vs. the Mercer that brutally KO'ed Tommy Morrison. 12 rounds.
Both decent technicians, maybe Mercers chin carries him to the later rounds where he stops Bruno. Wouldnt be suprised if Ray loses a 12 round decision either, he could be good and really bad around that time.
I still think Mercer would have a little bit too much for him probably stopping poor Frank late, could be a very good tussle though
Mercer, like the others have stated, could be inconsistent. That said though I still think the Mercer the poster is refering to (1991) would knock out any version of Bruno. Mercer KO 6 Bruno
They could fight four times and get four different outcomes in 1991. Mostly because of Mercer's up and down nature, rather than Bruno.
Damn I'm stupid. Here I am looking for this fight thinking it actually exists. Would have been a hard competition though, I would go with Mercer most likely. He tends to show a lot of heart and determination mixed with great power and inside fighting. Bruno would be stuck with a monster on his plate, not unlike his Tyson Dilemma. He could take a Bruno punch I would say.
Classic Bomber; as he blows a huge early lead, and runs out of puff late, and the ref mercifully saves him. Mercer TKO11
I can't imagine this being anything but an exchange of huge bombs. While both men had the ability to box when they really had to, that just isn't happening in this one. Mercer would take his fair share of lumps as he did in the Cooper, Morrison, Damiani and Lewis fights, but in the end, I think he outlasts Frank...
I think 1989-1993 was Bruno's peak. He went through many, many camps preparing for Tyson and learnt how to clinch, infight (relative to before) well, improved his punching technique, his left-hook, his defence and his confidence. He was too scared of Tyson for it to show, but already in 1989 he was on the way to being champion. It all culminates in 1993 against Lewis, which was Bruno's best performance. Even assuming Mercer comes in focused and in-shape, I think he has too many weaknesses against Bruno: (1) Mercer was not hard to tie-up and was manhandled by weaker men than Bruno; (2) Mercer has neither the concussive punch of someone like Bonecrusher, Lewis or Tyson nor the late-round pressure of Witherspoon; (3) Mercer was at his best when he was jabbing, but that's totally the wrong fight against Bruno, who could handle even great jabs, jabbed brilliantly himself and knew how to land power-shots against a jabber; (4) Mercer is not hard to hit. I know I tend to pick Bruno against everyone but I'm very confident on this one. Still, I suppose if all else fails, Mercer can try bribing Bruno? :hey
He was particularly impressive in 1990! I know a then unbeaten Italian who may disagree, indeed I believe Francesco never did find the tip of his nose after the fight. Flippancy aside, you may an argument, but the intangible is Mercer does not have to win the fight, as Frank always found a way to lose the big ones, McCall being the exception to prove the rule.
I tend to think Mercers power is massively overated due to his spectacular stoppage over Tommy Morrison. He wasnt this massive banger, but Bruno could look like a glass statue late in fights. Mercer's probably a step above Mcall who couldnt finish a dead Bruno, and Mercer probably has Mcalls chin, so its likely a peak Mercer ends the fight in the late rounds.
I can see Bruno throwing everything but the kitchen sink at Mercer, really going for it. But if this Mercer puts his mind to it and dig s in, then it's Big Frank getting pummeled along on the ropes.