Prime Ray Mercer vs. Prime David Tua

Good matchup... It usually takes Tua a couple of rounds to warm up (unless he's fighting someone like Ruiz). Both have rock solid chins. Tua's left hook is devastating and so is Mercer's right hand. Hmmm...hard choice. If I were pressed, I'd pick Mercer

 

Completely depends on Mercer's mindset and how well he uses his jab, which he has an excellent one.

 

Mercer did have more tools...he had a decent jab when he used it (vs. Lewis). Tua really could not fight well from the outside (vs Byrd, Rahman) and could be easily manuevered out of position. He did have a tight defense but his offense was pretty much limited to a left hook. Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I like Mercer.

 

A decent jab?

He tore Wladimir's face apart with that jab when he was 40 some odd years old and shot to pieces.

Mercer's jab was a sight of beauty when he was working it.

 

I say decent because I compare all jabs to Hvyt ATG's like Holmes, Ali, Liston, Foreman.

His jab was maybe a 7-8 out of 10. But he didn't use it efficiently consistently.

 

I agree.

When he had to utilize it as he had to against Wladimir it was amazing, in my opinion. He really tore Wladimir's face up with it.

 

Mercer by UD over Tua, no doubt. It may look a little like Ibeabuchi vs Tua

 

Mercers jab is the difference here and he wins a decision if he uses his footwork/jab the right way. If he goes toe to toe with Tua even Mercer would be in serious danger of being in danger of a stoppage.