Prime Ray Mercer vs Prime Sonny Liston

The immovable object meets the unstoppable force. The Mercer who knocked cold Tommy Morrison vs the Liston that starched Cleveland Williams.

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I pick Liston via decision in a fight that could become a slugfest. But Liston could work behind his jab and keep it a boxing match. That would be Liston's best bet.

 

How would you judge Mercers power in comparison to the challengers Liston faced, for instance, Cleveland Williams?

I know Foreman sparred with an older Cleveland Williams and said Williams was one of the hardest punchers he met. And remember Foreman fought "modern" heavyweights too.

I think Mercer would be a tough fight for Liston, I do think Liston would win it though, but Mercer would be good for an upset.

 

I wouldn't call Liston "fragile minded". You may say he quit vs Ali, but I think it was a bit of frustration at not being able to hit a moving target in Ali kind of how Duran got frustrated vs Leonard in the "no mas" fight. And his shoulder.

Liston wouldn't have to go far to find Ray Mercer who would be plodding and marching forward.

Although I favor Sonny Liston, I do find your outcome plausible.

 

I don't know about KO as Mercer took heavy shots from Lewis, Morrison, Wlad Klitchsko and Holyfield, who not a heavyweight destroyer was a solid heavyweight puncher. If Liston did stop Mercer, I think it would be in the manner that Foreman stopped Chuvalo.