Both fighters could box pretty well when not unsettled. I dont think Mercer has enough power and pressure to make Golota fall apart. Could have been an excellent boxing match?
i like mercer but not with any certainty here this could turn into a war and mercer had a hell of a chin and was mentally stronger than the pole . this is the sought of fight where golota might implode and get DQ'd yes i said it
Golota and Mercer were actually set to fight in Madison Square Garden in May 1997. I remember the bill reading "New York Just Got A Little Bit Tougher" or something along those lines. Can't remember the exact reason why the fight was cancelled though. What I do remember is this being before I had access to the web and the only news I got about boxing was from magazines, which then as now were lagging far behind in their coverage. Was waiting to know the result of the fight for weeks before I read that it was cancelled. Makes you think how un-spoiled we were in regards to news back then.
Two complete question marks fighting each other. If they fought ten times, you might get a Mercer by TKO, draw, Golota by decision, Mercer by decision, Mercer by DQ, Golota by MD, Mercer by SD, No Contest after a race riot...Anything. If both are at their absolute most dedicated, strongest, best, it could be a terrific and close fight. With some jabalicious jabaciousness setting up some huge exchanges.
Got to correct myself here. Golota's scheduled opponent in May 1997 was Tim Witherspoon, not Mercer. But I do recall there being talk of Golota fighting Mercer as well during that period. I have a news clip about it on a tape somewhere in my archive.
Golota would build a lead, using his jab and stun Mercer on occasion. He would eventually find a way to lose, no matter how hard he would have to try.
This fight was on the table a couple times in 1997, but both men kept catching the injury bug. Would have been interesting had they met in 97, if Mercer was healthy and won, he might have been able to force a rematch with Lennox. Actually think this would be one hell of a clumsy brawl comparable to Golota/Ruiz. I see a controversial decision not going in Andrew's favor as typical. Would have been the best win on either man's resume. ANDREW GOLOTA's back injury has caused the entire May 16 fight card at Madison Square Garden to be postponed. Golota was to fight RAY MERCER in the main event, but he hurt his lower back in training last week. No replacement could be arranged, and the undercard, including a heavyweight fight between TIM WITHERSPOON and JIMMY THUNDER, was postponed yesterday. In the frame for a bout with [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Golota"] This content is protected [/ame] in 1997, Mercer suffered a neck injury and was out of action for 14 months.