Ray Mercer vs Cleveland Williams (both between 215-220lbs)

I lean towards Mercer in a good scrap. But, only because he had a head made out of cement. Williams would likely be lighting Ray up from all angles until Mercer tired him out and stopped him late.

 

I seem to have a sense that Cleveland could outbox him for a 10 round UD. People seem to think Mercer is the only one with power here, Foreman said Cleveland was one of the 3 hardest hitters he ever faced along with Cooney and Lyle. This is a great matchup

 

Good point about Williams. He for sure could crack. Working against him though is Mercer has an atg chin. He ate some huge shots from Lennox Lewis and never faltered. Late in his career a prime Klitschko was able to get him off his feet but by that point, Mercer was in his 40's.

 

Ray Mercer arguably beat a much larger man that some think was a top five all time heavyweight. When did Williams ever do anything even remotely that impressive. Mercer proved to have a far better chin and better wins than any version of Williams and that includes the mythical "pre gunshot" version of Williams who was supposedly so much better than he was after getting shot even though his best win is against Billy freaking Daniels. Of course his fanboys will try to make this mythical matchup against an ancient Mercer who fought Klitchko. If we are actually matching the best version of Mercer, the one who KOd Morrison, gave Lewis and Holyfield tough fights, and beat Witherspoon then Ill go with him any day over the Williams that beat Miteff and Daniels and only managed a draw in his own hometown against Machen. Mercer would stomp Williams.

 

There is a serious gap in the quality of chin here, I’d take Mercer cuz he’s the only one here that could take punches from the other.

 

^This. Mercer has one of boxing's granite chins, and Williams has a noted glass chin. Williams is the better boxer, but not that much better that he could whitewash Mercer. Mercer will land his share, and Williams, sooner or later, will take a nap.

 

Williams UD. His chin tends to to get done dirty, while Mercer's power is kinda overrated. Cleaver at his best was a fine boxer with that oppressive, long jab, quick to boot. Think he scores a lot of points off of his 1-2's on a straightforward Mercer.

 

Not sure what was meant by the weights. Mercer was much heavier and would have beaten Williams badly think second Liston fight.

 

If you want a lighter Mercer I’m still going with him. The guy was tough as nails and Williams is not taking him out so Little Mercer wins a UD.