I'm joking. Mercer was a great puncher and as tough as they come, but he would never beat a prime Ali. I mean 40 year old Holmes beat him, Holyfield with the heart problem beat him, Jesse Ferguson beat him.
Prime Ali vs Prime Mercer would be pretty 1 sided. Ali wins a UD or the ref takes pity and stops the massacre late, giving Ali a TKO victory. Because of styles, prime Mercer would likely do better vs a Sonny Liston or George Foreman.
Nah I really do think that's a likely outcome. Especially Ali winning a clear cut UD. A stoppage may appear not because Mercer is very hurt, but because the fight is so one sided and Mercer is just absorbing a lot of punishment while unable to give any in return, meaning that Ali turns him into a 225 pound heavy bag.
I think Mercer would just give Ali some poundings on the ropes early. Ali would gradually control the fight , flurrying a lot, but never really hurting Mercer. Ali UD.
Just here to drop my op in on the Ali-Mercer débâcle which is agwanin', right now. Ali's laziness when it came to holding his right hand up meant he could be given fits with a jab, and had a serious weakness to a left hook. Should Mercer bring everything together well like he did vs Lewis, Ali's got some trouble on his hands. Folley had minor success with his jab alone, and Chuvalo had minor success with his chin and aggression. Mercer could do better than both. However, Mercer did not like movers and Ali was their king. His feet were so much faster than almost anyone's. Ali schools Mercer with ease, flicking his 1-2 out, and bringing up a hooker-cut or two, whilst Mercer's feet are stuck in the mud. Ali couldn't float like a butterfly for 15, even in his prime. These moments where Ali stands his ground, or at least slows down, is where Mercer lands his jab and roughs Ali up a little bit. These moments don't really come often though, and when they do they don't last long. Ali UD15, 14-2ish.
Holyfield fought Stewart twice (in 80s and 90s) and first fight was TKO win after his typical headbutt, second went to full 12 rounds. So Golota that is in the right mind frame could pose a challange. He'd certainly lose by wide decision or late KO but its certainly not going to be a fast KO. We all know Holyfield always had trouble to stop a big guy cause he's naturally not heavy enough for heavyweight. There are many fights where he won comfortably on points like against Foreman, Mercer, 42 year old Holmes, Savarese, Vaughn Bean but he just couldnt pull a KO win. Also, it seems that everytime he fought journeyman, he looked weaker.
Evander breaks golota's will, early, and then he gives him a slow death. I see this fight playing out as golota trying to establish his jab and getting pelted with counters. Golota would be getting much more desperate while evander is getting increminitaly more aggressive until its finally over somewhere in the middle rounds when golota attempts to open up which is a death sentence to a fighter like evander.
Golota was a big strong HW and at his best no pushover. Holyfield had terrific skills but his tendency to brawl meant this would be a action fight in the Holyfield vs Dokes vein. Holyfield pts.
