Prime Ray Mercer vs Prime Alexander Povetkin

I've got Povetkin on points. Ray had a heck of a jab (was outjabbing Lennox with it), but he had too much dog in him and not enough mobility for this not to turn into a war. Would've been an excellent match up- FOTY caliber. I think current Povetkin has better head movement, puts his punches together better, and has the conditioning edge, so I've got him as the favorite. Nobody's getting knocked out here.

 

At first glance I thought Mercer. But If Wlad couldn't stop Povetkin even after decking him 4 times, then I don't think Rays doing it either. Mercer's power came and went in spurts. He could crack but wasn't an elite puncher in my book. His skills improved as his career went on, but he remained slow and never amounted to being a sweet scientist. I'm siding with Povetkin on points in what would probably be an entertaining fight.

 

Good one here, i got Ray NO DOUBT, just based on the level of competition both men have faced, i think Ray would have jabbed his head off with that 77-78, inch reach, and stopped him late or win a comfortable decision, Ray fought with more fire and intensity than Povetkin period...

I've only seen Povetkin in one good fight against Chambers who's a level below Mercer in my opinion, that fight (if you wanna call it that) with Klitchko, it was so ugly i couldn't torture myself to watch that Garbage was shut off after only a few rounds...:-(

 

Agreed on most parts, however 6-2 is not short for a heavyweight, the best Heavyweights over the last 30-40 years, Ali, Holmes, Holyfield, were in the 6-2-6-3 range, Tyson, Frazier were only around 5-10-5-11...

 

That also depends on which versions of Sasha and Ray we'll see.

Ray looked very ordinary against Wilson and Fergusson, while Povetkin was AWFUL against cruiser Huck. If we take the worst versions of both, then Ray has the best chance to stop Sasha as he is more powerful and hits harder than Huck.

If we take both at their best - that would be much more interesting fight

 

All very good points and i agree.

 

As far as measuring floors, having a back and forth struggle with Huck is miles above drawing with Wilson and getting beat by Ferguson, to be fair.

Ray was a tough SOB, but the more limited fighter. While the Morrison fight was a great example of the toughness, Ray was a guy who is more well known for his losses than his wins. That's always a red flag when it comes to sizing things up.

Povetkin's got the better wins and the less embarrassing defeats, and is the more versatile, skilled fighter. Ray was good, but his career was filled with getting beat by guys in Povetkin's class or worse- even when he got the come from behind knockout like Morrison and Damiani, he was getting outboxed.

If Povetkin had a poor chin, I'd like Ray's chances to score one of those knockouts because this match will have its fair share of trading.

As it stands, the biggest factor determining whether Ray wins is whether Atlas is in Povetkin's corner.

 

mercer

 

Mercer was durable so I think the fight goes the full route but AP in condition would outwork Mercer. I like AP post Vlad, he has been in condition and is solid, UD for AP

 

Also very true.

 

This limited Ray outjabbed the prime tall Lennox Lewis.
Povetkin was an unathletic, unskilled,glass-chinned slow punchin'
bag against w. klitschko.
Povetkin's wins against Takam and Charr prove nothing
they are nobodies.