Good fight if we're taking Hrgovic from maybe the Zhang fight against Mercer from the Lewis fight. Close decision either way, but I favour Mercer's inside fighting and body work. Any other version of Mercer likely loses though.
Has Mercer ever won a wide UD lol? I'm laughing because I genuinely don't remember him ever doing that, to anyone. I know the Lennox (and to a lesser extent the Holyfield) fight gives him a lot of mileage in these matchups, but my memory recalls Ray either getting come from behind knockouts or struggling in fights he had no business struggling in. I'm not going to cheat and look at Boxrec, I just legit can't recall actually seeing it.
He did against Bert Cooper although he did take alot of damage in that fight. But most of the time in his most notable fights he didn't no. Early in his career he had a close decision vs veteran Ossie Ocasio. A draw against Marion Wilson. A close decision win in a rematch vs Jesse Ferguson. A controversial decision win over a 38 year old Tim Witherspoon. Mercer never really had a stand convincing win on points against any notable opponent that I can recall. I think this fight would be close.
I won't pretend to remember every Mercer result and what happened on the card, but I'd bet he hasn't won many ten rounders 7-3 if that's the bones of what you are asking. I wouldn't say his achieving that result would be anything like as weird as, say, Kid Gavilan getting knocked out - which I also wouldn't regard as impossible. In the end, it seems unlikely to me either of these are knocking each other out, personally, and so there is going to be some sort of decision. You can try to determine what that card might look like based upon the technical and physical aspects of the two fighters, or you can look at Boxrec and pick a result the fighter has had a lot before.
Fair play on it. The chuckle wasn't at you, more that it's funny that I remember a decent amount of Ray Mercer fights and Mercer by schooling was the one outcome I never recall seeing (no hyperbole), which surprised me a bit. Never gave it a thought till now. Having a great jab and chin usually means that's going to happen a few times, at least. Doesn't mean it couldn't happen against Hrgovic, of course
Appreciate the background! I think it's got close (and very well rough and ugly) written all over it. I voted Hrgovic mainly to even the polls out a bit, but I wouldn't put a buck on it either way. Cuts could be a factor.
Peak version I would go with the Mercer of the Holyfield fight. In a good match. However career wise, Hrgović so far has proven to be a more consistent performer. Also their top level wins are really close so there is not much separating the two at this point. Itauma, Zhang, and Joyce compare well to Morrison, Damiani and a debatable post prime Witherspoon.
Mercer will have problems with the size of Hrgovic, whereas if we are taking a young Mercer then I think Mercer's workrate might be higher. Honestly can't pick a winner without analysing fights.
I don’t know who’d win but I’d love to see it for the action value. Two durable hard hitting heavies with limited movement just knocking the crap out of each other is the best type of boxing ever.
