1996: Tyson vs Mercer

Im sure Ray would get stunned. I dont think Tyson can knock him out. Mercer took clean bombs from Lewis, Morrison, Bert Cooper etc.
At that time Tyson didnt carry his power past the midrounds. Punch output dropped. Ray would certainly be in his best possible condition.
Mercer would in my opinion dominate the 2nd half of the fight.

 

Well the only post prison version of Tyson that went double digit rounds was against Holyfield, who had a tremendous game plan to tie Mike up and stunt his offense. Is Mercer capable of replicating this? I doubt it. Mercer only fought one way. Lewis didn't know how to handle a small ring like Tyson would. When Lewis popped Mercer with some bombs only to see Mercer still standing, he panicked. Maybe Tyson does this, maybe not. Maybe Mike knows how tough Mercer is and takes a measured approach. He wouldn't overlook Mercer.

Mercer did get dropped my a Holyfield left hook. I'm sure Tyson could do the same. And Mike isn't Tommy Morrison who gassed mid rounds, even the 96 version who won 2 belts. You can't stand in front of Mike and expect to win. Even Lewis knew this in 2002.

 

Oh man the post douglas 1990-1991 Tyson would have hurt any version of mercer bad...that in his own different way was the fiercest toughest tyson with ZERO quit in him....he"d fight 20 rounds

96 Tyson wasn't that guy based on the holyfield fight...but i dont think he needs to be ...2nd round knockout

 

Mercer would have won it, in fact several heavyweights on and around that period would have defeated Tyson, Tua to name another one.
Tyson was not even close to being the best in the division by 96', he still had the aura but was no longer invincible.