Ray Mercer vs Prime Mike Tyson

This is an interesting idea, in regard to Lewis' decline. To be honest, I'm not sure the Lennox who knocked the hell out of Iron Mike was actually on the decline. He looked pretty damn good in that fight, the ending was particularly impressive imo. I can say assuredly Mike was good and past it, though.

Lewis first looked in decline against Klitschko to me. His reflexes definitely seem slower...he just got hit way too much. But hey, I can't discount the ring rust factor, that might have been at least as much a contributor to his lower velocity performance.

 

Even if Lewis was past his best in 2002, he was nowhere near as shot as Tyson was in 2002.

 

Prime Tyson -- I see this much like Mercer's fights against Lewis and Holyfield. Looks great while losing. Runs Tyson ragged, goes the distance, but doesn't get the decision.

Post-prison Tyson -- if the very best version of Mercer shows up, I think he could pull it off. Mercer -- when on -- was far more skilled than Ruddock.