Fought Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes, Wladimir Klitschko and Lennox Lewis. Do you know what all four of those men have in common? They're all top 15 heavyweights. Absolutely stacked resume. Fought everyone, even into old age. This content is protected This content is protected
His fight with Bert Cooper was a classic slugfest. And nobody could ever forget the beating he put on Tommy Morrison. One of the most savage knockouts ever.
Also knocked out Tim Sylvia, in a final gift to boxing. Even in retirement, Mercer gave boxing fans a funny talking point that they can use against MMA fans in internet slapfights.
He was a tough opponent for guys looking for the KO but could be outboxed or outfought, remember him trying to bribe Jesse Furgeson to throw the fight. Mercer had the type of chin much like Jerry Quarry that could nullify a puncher and he was a tough guy but could be outboxed or outfought
And lots of guys could out-think him as well. I think that is by far, the most unappreciated skill in the sport. Maybe even moreso with the heavies. Look what an old Holmes did with the guy---a jab and ringsmarts. And he won easily and going away. I think Toney would do very well with him. Would have liked to have seen Ray in there with a Bruno. A Ruddock. Ibeabuchi. Later on, Valuev.
I liked Ray. I wish we could have seen him against Foreman. Both had thudding jabs and big right hands. Would have been fun.
I'm convinced he ruined Cooper in that fight. I never again saw Bert that fit and determined. And Mercer's own face looked like a Halloween zombie mask. Damn, it was brutal.
Iam a little obsessed with Mercer! He could be very ordinary when not in the mood Holmes completely outboxed him but when up for it he was very dangerous.Hard hitting rock solid chops and fearless I.don't think any fighter in history could intimidate him !.I would of like to of seen him against Ruddock and Bruno Forman would of been awesome and Tyson especially the post prison version would of been a real war .an interesting guy and a genuine hardnut!.
Didn't he wobble Holmes with a ram rod jab in round 1? He obviously didn't have the better, more consistent or varied jab, but god... like a boxing glove on the end of a telephone pole.
Not sure if its true that he had alcohol issues. That may have impacted him. As stated his slugfest with Cooper was the Foreman-Lyle of the 90s. He was really hurt when the decision was given to Lennox. I thought it could have went either way, but scored it for Lennox by a single point. And he was skeptical of the ref against Morrison. "He should stopped it right there, he could've been killed." --Ray Mercer post fight Tommy Morrison. I think Mercer today could and would be a champion. Mercer is another guy I wished would've fought Tua in their primes.
Very good boxer, but if a guy like Moorer can win the title, i don't see why Mercer shouldn't have. He was better than Moorer or McCall as far as i am concerned. Probably a bit of an underachiever.
