Ray Mercer vs David Haye At HW

Haye is going... Haye is gone!

 

I think Mercer is too old to beat Haye, but I'd give Holyfield a very good chance indeed.

 

I wouldn't go that far.

Evander still has a case for potentially beating a very slow moving, none-aggressive fighter with a low workrate like Valuev, but against an agressive, quickhanded fighter like Haye, I think he'd be toast at this junction in his life. Remember, he was easily outgunned by Sultan Ibragimov and that was already like 2-3 years ago.

 

This is exactly how I feel. :good

 

I agree, it was more Lewis looking like **** than anything Mercer did. It was just a new experience for Lewis and he was forced to adjust his game to make himself a better fighter. It was gut check time for Lewis and he succeeded.
Mercer in my opinion is a bit overated. He wasnt particularly the best boxer or puncher, just a super tough guy, with a really good jab when he used it. Other than that, he was somewhat mechanical and straight up to be hit, something a guy like Ferguson and Holmes who were slick in their own right were able to capitlalize on, as opposed to Lewis and Holy who seemed to engage him more.

 

Yeah, but he hit Ibragimov with a few good counter rights a few times too, and I reckon Haye's likely to get far more careless more often than Ibragimov ever did.

I doubt Haye's chin, and I also doubt whether he'd fight defensively against a guy like Holyfield, and that means I'd give Holyfield a very real chance of beating him. Even if Holyfield's 50 years old or whatever, he's clever enough to land shots.

 

We've seen Evander able to pull the trigger on those beautiful counters less and less. It worked against Savarese but not much else lately. Like your pointing at, it would be his only chance to beat Haye. Commander is just too slow now.

 

10 years ago, I would have picked Holy to take Haye apart, but those days are over. His reflexes are like that of a stone's now, and I don't think he has the ability to finish anyone anymore either, including the less durable heavys. Going the distance and edging Valuev doesn't mean that much, as probably just about any heavyweight within shouting distance of talent can do the same or similar job. A young, fast heavyweight who throws a variety of punches, has good power and actually has a workrate to speak of is not the right man to put a 46 year old veteran in the ring with.

 

There were really TWO variants of Ray Mercer and both may or may not show up for action in shape. The first variant was an aggressive clubber who we saw get schooled AND spanked - in the school yard, no less - by Larry Holmes.

The second variant of Mercer had a very underrated, sneaky left jab. This jab was murder for Holyfield, Lewis and Witherspoon.

The first variant of Mercer would give Haye the most openings.

With the improved variant of Mercer - it would come down to how well Haye dealt with that left jab.

 

Didnt Mercer try and whisper in Fergusons ear and bribe him to throw the fight, because he was getting his butt whooped and in danger of losing his title shot against Bowe?
Yep here it is:

Ray Mercer, the 1988 Olympic gold medalist boxer, will be fighting his battles in court after he was indicted by the Manhattan district attorney's office for allegedly offering his opponent a bribe in the ring.
Videotape of the Feb. 6 bout at Madison Square Garden between Mercer and Jesse Ferguson disclosed that starting in the third round, Mercer repeatedly offered Ferguson $100,000 to throw the match, prosecutors charged

 

Ray mercer would knock out david haye(and im a haye fan)........mercer gave holy/lewis fits.............haye isnt in lewiss or holys league

 

David Haye has a lot of talent, but he is still very raw in terms of technique. At this point, Mercer would **** Haye up. Mercer tko 10

 

Honestly people,stop already.Haye was knocked down by shot Cliff Couser ko victim Monte Barrett.Mercer was a true tough guy with a hard jab and a superior resume to Haye's.Merciless by 5th round ko.

 

I agree that Mercer should be favored, but you can't just oversimplify the situation by making reference to one or two bad performances against lesser opponents. Afterall, wasn't Mercer outboxed by journeyman Jesse Ferguson, dominated through 9 rounds by Francesco Damiani, drew with Marion Wilson and had his face blown up like a balloon by Bert Cooper? Selective bias can work both ways...

That said, I'd still pick Mercer, but the next time you make your choice in a fantasy matchup, try to focus more on things like style, physical attributes and how both men looked against similar opponents.

 

OK.Point taken.Haye vrs solid,prime 230-235 pound heavyweight.Hmmmmmmmm....not one.Barrett knocked him down.Monte Barrett.Didn't do much better against Valuev than 46 year-old and how many times ko'd shot Evander Holyfield.On Haye's resume,nobody matches up to Mercer because HAYE'S FOUGHT PRACTICALLY NOBODY AT HEAVYWEIGHT.Now he's supposed to fight wrasslin' Ruiz?Who could you possible compare on Haye's resume to Mercer?Ray Mercer....hmmm....gave ATG Lennox Lewis fits-some say he beat him-and Lewis has every physical advantage over Haye except pure handspeed-although Lennox isn't bad in that,either.Yes,I'd say Mercer by knockout due to what transpired in both of their careers.Evander beat Ray,but that's iron-jawed Evander.Does anyone think Haye would hold up against Ray's heavy hands when Mercer lands.What I wouldn't be surprised if Haye challenges Evander,they fight,Haye wins,and Haye's goes around claiming an ATG scalp.