1974 Muhammad Ali vs the best, most pristine version of Merciless Ray Mercer

Any version of Ali beats any version of Mercer. Mercer was mostly a plodder that fit right in with Shavers, Lyle, and the other guys Ali was beating in the 70s based on a flurry here and there to steal the round.

 

Nah that is extreme; surely you do not mean even Spinks-era Ali, fuhgettibout vs. Holmes, beats the best Mercer.
Who was really good when he was on form, easily World Class.

This is a fair question, since no way is Ali ro virtually anyone knocking out this-or most any-Mercer.
But ALi still can outwork him & use his superior ring intelligence.
Likely wins @ 2/3 of the rounds.

 

Does Ali stand a chance? You actually typed that?

 

He does better then Foreman, just like Bonavena, Mac Foster and Ron Lyle

 

He only has a chance against Ali from 76 onwards

 

I have to agree with you 100%. Remember Muhammad Ali had finished fighting Joe Frazier in Manila in Sept 1975, it was a grueling battle for the both of them, it literally spelled the end for the both of them. In April 1976, Ali won a hotly disputed decision over Jimmy Young, in May, he stopped an outclassed southpaw in Richard Dunn. Then in June, he takes on Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki in which his legs suffered blood clots because of Inoki's kicks in that exhibition. Then finally in Sept, he defeats Ken Norton in a very controversial decision. Ali did not have it any more at that point in time, he was running on fumes.

 

The durable Mercer lasts the distance but drops a shutout decision against the post-prime but still highly dangerous 1974 incarnation of Muhammad. I see Ali winning at least 12 of the 15 rounds.

 

Ali would figure out half way that Mercer is too durable to be ko'd. Ali outworks him for a hard fought decision.

 

Zaire Ali was still special and his motivation to win his back his title was incalculable. I just finished watching Meecer fight Old Holmes. Easy fight for Zaire Ali.

 

So did Michael Bentt.

 

1974 Ali was still much better than 1992 Holmes so that should answer the question

 

Nice fight and Ali by decision ..