Yeah, I think you guys are probably right. I actually think Mercer is better, better jab, better schooled, better technician by miles and just as tough with a jaw just as good. But something somewhere along the way will go against him and he'll start chucking rounds. I bet Ray could beat him over 10 though.
Mercer is just bigger, stronger and a better whacker........ Bonny is all that too, but Mercer's trim / peak weight of 215-224 pounds is way too much for Oscar Bonny in a dream fight..... Mercer gets the KO in round 7...... MR.BILL
Ray just seemed to shut down sometimes and as hard a puncher as he was Ringo has the chin to withstand it.
Oscar would win it, by a close unanimous decision.Bonavena fought better competition, and would not be fazed by the hardcore, but somewhat lacking Ray Mercer.
Oscar wins it. He had that rare combination of being very awkward but powerful and he could whack. He outpoints Mercer decidedly for the win.
Neither of these guys were good fighters imo, both really uninspiring either as akward brawler(Bonavena) or boxer-puncher(Mercer. Mercer could win if he gives a lEwis-esque effort, but more often than not he was a cigar store indian punchbag.Bonavena outworks him in an entertaining fight.
Ray is a better fighter, better schooled, stronger, better chin, even better power. If he arrives in shape and halfway motivated, he wins a wide decision. Oscar basks in the glow of those with whom he shared the ring... not so much in his actual abilities.
Mercer is a bit overrated. He struggled to beat Jesse Ferguson. He struggled to beat Francesco Daamiani. He was schooled by Larry Holmes. He took to the floor against a war-weary Evander Holyfield. I guess it's people who have Lennox Lewis as some sort of HW God who insist on Mercer being rated highly. Bonavena wasn't a whole lot better, but at his best you'd have to be a bit slicker than Mercer, or a lot busier, to beat him.