Ray Mercer vs Deontay Wilder

Agreed. Uncle Al is not having his guy drop a decision in a bout anywhere near remotely close. Mercer would literally need to win 8 or maybe 9 rounds and just do not see him being that effective against Wilder. Not to that degree anyway. Win some rounds sure----but Ray needs to get the stoppage or win lots of rounds.

Just do not see Ray getting in top condition and shape for a guy like this. He'd see the openings on tape and prepare like it is a foregone conclusion type bout and come in heavy. Or like 8 pounds or more heavier than he should.

 

For me, history has been unkind to both of these guys. Sure Ray could be inconsistent but so could Wilder. I always apply a 100/100 rule for fantasy fights, both fighters must be 100% for 100% of the fight. This is an ultimate styles make fights scrap and whilst Deontay will land some fearsome shots here and yes, will win some rounds, the best Mercer had a brilliant jab, keeps him off balance and stops him sometime after eight. Deontays get out of jail free card doesn't work in this fight, and sorry, sorry, but the best Ray Mercer is in no way comparable to Stiverne. I thought he beat Lewis, a bloody good version of Lewis.

 

If you’re talking about Stiverne, I agree. Mercer never was above the level of Stiverne from Arreola I to Wilder I though.

 

I don't know if I would put Stiverne in his eras top 30, Arreola is his only semi-decent win and I see Arreola as more a journeyman type.

Wilder's probably somewhere in his eras top 10 in the 6-10 range below Usyk, Fury, Wlad, Povetkin, Kabayel. Zhang, Parker, Dubois could probably be argued either way.

 

Mercer has an atg chin, Wilder isn't knocking him out.

He could possibly outbox him though, hard to know with Ray.

 

Stiverne and Mercer were two tough guys with hard jabs. Stiverne was a better counterpuncher and won a real belt. Mercer had some memorable nights, but often lost those fights or needed a bailout stoppage.

No, that’s a terrible place to put him. Heading into the second Fury fight, he was 10-0-1 in title fights and 3-0-1 against top 5 opposition including the draw at the highest level against Fury. Usyk and Fury are the only two who clearly exceeded that, not counting Wlad who dominated a different era. Joshua is arguable and could still end up at three, but I have Wilder ahead.

 

It's just that Mercer had a titanium chin. Took clean shots from Lewis, Morrison, Bert Cooper and kept coming. He arguably beat a good version of Lewis. And he's more durable and harder punching than Tyson Fury. I'd pick Wilder if Mercer wasn't so durable and it's not like Wilder can just feel free to walk through the return fire coming his way.

 

Mercer at his best likely bullies him around for a decision win, landing the jab going forward, getting inside and working the body.

 

Say what you will about Wilder but he is one of the hardest single shot punchers in the history of the division.
Not sure Mercer could absorb those bombs without it hurting him.

 

He isn't anywhere close to a Mercer.
Mercer beat much better opposition and accomplished much more in his boxing career.
And Mercer hit much harder then him.

 

Stiverne was 2-1 against ranked opposition during his prime, being the only guy to spark out Arreola and first to go the distance with Wilder.

Mercer was 1-3 against ranked fighters in the 90s. He also beat Morrison, but lost to Ferguson, drew with Wilson, and struggled with Witherspoon during what should have been his prime.

They really were right around the same level. Stiverne just had a short window and kind of went away after Wilder beat him up. I really don’t think he was as vulnerable in terms of falling behind on the cards though.

 

Mercer was an Olympic Gold medalist.
He also defeated Morrison and Damiani.
He also beat Cooper when Cooper actually had something left.
He also lost a SPLIT DECISION to Lennox Lewis.
Way to Boxrec it

 

Coming close only counts in horseshoes.

 

Holyfield decked Mercer with a single shot and turned the whole fight around based on that single left hook.

So whilst Mercer has a very good chin he was visibly very shaken up by Holyfield who is an underrated puncher but not a devastating puncher.

Mercer is also a guy in his prime years who went 1-1-1 with trial horses like Jesse Ferguson, Marion Wilson.

 

Stiverne? Ortiz?

Mercer would hurt Wilder with one shot, eventually, and then pull home the win.