Ray Mercer vs Deontay Wilder

This is a tough one . Mercer was below the Lennox , Tyson level yet he had a good chin and could punch decently. So the thought he could weather the storm and land on Wilder might be reasonable.

 

After weathering the early storm, Mercer outfights and out-toughs Wilder to stop him mid rounds. Wilder's power isn't anything Ray hasn't seen before. And, this is one match where Mercer is definitely the better boxer.

 

The Mercer who stood toe to toe with Lennox stops Wilder.

 

Mercer was hittable, but very tough. He has a great chin but Wilder is still a way bigger hitter than everyone Mercer fought. Plus Holyfield put him down, I think Wilder may hurt him. I'd give Wilder the decision, if he fights the way he did against Stiverne 1

 

Other than the 2nd Stiverne fight, there is no "early storm" with Wilder. His MO seems to be to wait for his shot and be content to do as little as possible until his opportunity presents itself.
I f Mercer were to prepare for a Wilder fight being aware of the most recent Fury fight, Ray and his people might deduce that doing a little storming early might be in their best interest. I would tell Ray to back Wilder up- where Mercer puts his lead foot is a key- and go to his body.
Now, Ray was notorious for losing interest and being lazy, so there's no guarantees, but letting Wilder take his time and pick the time and place doesn't make sense.

 

I’m in the minority here but I went with Wilder. Not sure if he wins by stoppage or decision but I think he could do either or... I watched Mercer from about the time he was an 8 or 9 fight prospect and while I loved his heart, guts and exciting tendency to mix it up, he was heavily flawed. Wilder is flawed as well but not in such a way that Ray could take advantage of. Mercer was slow. Short in both height and arm length. His defense was pedestrian at best. And while he could certainly punch, his power wasn’t as devastating as hindsight arguments tend to make it out to be. His victories over Bert Cooper, Tommy Morrison and Francesco Damiani were excellent wins in very exciting fights but also ones which exposed some of his flaws. If Wilder could deal with a 6’4”, 250 lbs south paw with the punch of Luis Ortiz then I think he can somehow manage to handle Mercer who skirted by lesser opponents or sometimes lost to them altogether...

 

Wilder is the better fighter as far as boxing Mercer could be outboxed by a kangaroo but if you walk in there thinking that you are going to knock him out you may find yourself in a Tommy Morrison situation because while fundamentally flawed and far worse technically and stylistically than Ortiz - Mercer was strong and could take a hell of a punch and could hurt you with shot and follow up well enough- Wilder would need to box and use his distance and throw his bombs sporadically and not forget the jab-

Wilder has the power to ko anyone but you have to have a boxing plan because you cant KO everyone - Mercer reminds me of Jerry Quarry in the manor that his solid chin nullifies a banger because of a solid chin and a solid punch keeps you in the game and decent power in both hands become a problem for guy that is used to quick finishes - So while I pick Wilder he better not fight him the way he fought Ortiz

 

I go with him too, if Wlad and Briggs could stop Mercer then Wilder could also.

 

Another vote for Wilder.

No way Mercer watches tapes of this guy and bothers to get himself in razor sharp condition. What would the Ray Mercer jogging before the fight over/under be? 10 miles? I'll take the under.

Actually think it is a boring fight. Mercer in no condition to use his legs and force things. Just plod and follow. And Wilder not doing much aside from a single jab or single right hand and then move away.

And Mercer is down 3 rounds before the fight starts on a Haymon title fight with his moneymaker. So a lopsided scorecard win for Wilder is what I think happens, regardless of how competitive Mercer is.

 

Mercer would attack Wilder like he did Holmes and Lewis except Wilder doesn't have the boxing brain of Holmes or the inside fighting skills of Lewis.

Mercer may even get dropped because Wilder is a murderous puncher but he will weather the storm like he did morrison and KO Wilder

 

I can't make up my mind about this one. Mercer could be inconsistent. He could give Lewis all he could handle, or he could fight horribly like he did against Jesse Ferguson.
He did have a tendency to be a plodder at times and lacked imagination. But you can't ignore his good points.
For my money, Wilder isn't this unskilled caveman that some portray. He's good at what he does. It's fairly basic, but against all but Fury it's worked so far.
I can't see him being anywhere near as tough as Mercer though, and I do think Mercer's chin will hold out.
I'm really not sure who would prevail.

 

Wilder is a harder puncher than Lewis, Klichkoes, MORRISON, Ferguson, and Cooper?
I disagree. Wilders "great" ko's have come against mostly warm bodies.
Fighters that would've been no more than a top 20-25 contender years ago.
Mercer if in shape and focused would do the same thing to Wilder as he did to
Morrison. (Maybe even earlier, at least Morrison could actually fight)
That was Take a hard shot, get pissed and damn near kill him.
Wilder power is overrated, and his skills are basic, or below.
After he lost to Mercer, he'd say he broke his foot, his trainer poisoned him,
his trainer over trained him, his trainer undertrained him. He was kidnapped
by Martians , couldn't eat any of their food, and it weakened him.

 

Wilder would knock Mercer's head clean off.

 

Mercer's chin Is at the level of McCall, Chuvalo and Ali. Easy fight for him with Wilder imo.