For me, both men put in their best performances against Lennox Lewis (you could make a strong case for it being Holyfield for Ray). Frank was leading Lennox but ran out of steam. Ray was neck and neck with him but lasted the distance. That's the prototype for this fight. Frank will be leading Ray - as he did Lewis - but Ray will last longer than Frank, as was also the case against Lewis, and either get a late tko or a narrow decision with a surge down the stretch. That is if both have their best nights. However, if they fight ten times, Frank wins six or seven as, while Ray's best nights were better than Frank's, Mercer tended to have a good night then two or three bad ones. Frank was slightly limited but you knew what you would get and you got it - with the exception of Tyson 2. Both good fighters and pleasant men who would have done very well in the heavyweight scene of the last ten years or so, imo.
Frank's jab and power could do the job .Mercer could get out boxed Holmes Damiani etc if frank works of his jab his power would keep Mercer honest.Mercer was a very dangerous guy but the jab could be key .Bruno on points if he is careful.good fight
Firstly, Terry Lawless would never have taken this fight. Frank would box a technically excellent fight behind his jab, mixing in odd rights and left, right left hook combinations. As Frank begins to tire physically, mentally and emotionally, Mercer would start catching him with overhand rights. By the 9th or 10th Bruno would gas dramatically with Mercer throwing everything at a tottering target until Frank is stopped on his feet, possibly being held up by the ref.
I would pick Bruno without hesitation if I was sure that he could take a flush shot from Mercer. Bruno was the superior boxer and had a hell of a shot.
Geez real toss of a coin match up. If I had any faith in Big Frank's stamina (which I don't) then I think he could use that thumping left jab to keep Ray on the backfoot and box to a 12 round decision. If I had faith that Mercer could come in trim and focused (which I don't) I could see him coming from behind to mount an attack that sees an exhausted Bruno getting hammered on the ropes until Mercer gets the stoppage W. Best versions of both I lean towards Mercer but who knows (especially with Ray)? Mercer could look downright awful sometimes but rarely against the best guys he fought (Morrison, Holyfield, Lewis). I think he'd take Bruno seriously.
Bruno's best chance would be early, where he was always dangerous, Mercer had a rock chin so i can't see him getting stopped early, though Klitschko managed it, albeit with a very old Mercer. I figure Bruno starts well & stuns Mercer a couple of times but ultimately tires down the stretch & gets stopped late, i wouldn't count Bruno out though, it could go either way.
Bruno could win if he puts a big enough hurting on Ray in the first five rounds... the fight should be a ten rounder which plays in Bruno's favor.. If Bruno goes with the jab more in the later rounds he seals the win... Bruno is definitely better than Jesse Ferg and wouldnt take the punishment early as Cooper did... of course u never know
We know Bruno's limitations but Mercer could be inconsistent & i reckon Big Frank may have won this one.
