Well I think after Joshua's win he would do better than I thought at first. I think it would be a close fight and maybe Mercer would get to him still. Pickem fight now. Joshua sure showed commitment and heart and discipline in his win yesterday. He learned and got better and I don't think Ruiz with his excuses should diminish Joshua's win. I hope Ruiz has to earn another title shot at whomever he fights after coming in so overweight and disrespecting the title so much. To actually mention a third fight after making an excuse. How many people travelled far to see this fight on tickets and hotels just to have him say he was not in shape? Ridiculous.
A tip top in shape, mad for it Mercer still gives AJ a tough hard fight. It would be closer than last night's fight imo and if AJ got the win then it would have had a few screaming Robbery!
I had a prime Ali vs Ray Mercer thread: https://www.boxingforum24.com/threa...pped-210-pound-1966-ali.595186/#post-18810732 And no one picked Mercer to win. Now in this thread, most are picking Mercer by KO?? What gives??
I was never a huge Mercer fan. He had power but he was limited as far as top notch fighter. He was a good contender but not a great fighter. I was always scared for guys he hurt because he cranked up punches after the guy was already finished. If AJ used his jab then he could beat him or anyone. It is apparent that the jab and right hand of AJ are his keys to winning fights, but his chin could be a problem. We have to see in the future, but if he learns how to be defensive and win fights with his size and skills he could be a long term champ meaning similar to Vlad whose blueprint Anthony seems to admire and to be following. .
I am just not high on Joshua based on his performance yesterday. Beating 300 pound Ruiz by running away. Looking at the comments here I might be in the minority tough. Mercer was an olympic medalist so he knew how to box a little too.Josuha would not replicate yesterday's performance against Ray.Ruiz as pudgy as he was could not close the gap.
Ray would definitely have given him a lot harder fight than Ruiz from yesterday. That is the Mercer that whacked out Morrison and busted up Lennox s face.