I see the post-94 variant of Mercer doing very well early via the left jab but faltering late after being dragged into a mud pit with Smokin Joe. In the closing rounds Mercer hits the canvas at least once, possibly twice courtesy of the left hook...but muscles his way through it to lose a unanimous 12 round verdict.
Mercer was never the most disciplined fighter and fought in spurts. I see him getting outworked and busted up on the inside. He would go the distance as he had a tremendous chin but lose a clear decision.
This one would be brutal to say the least, in a 15 rounder both guys hit the floor at least once, and a prime 1971 Frazier has a hard time dealing with Ray's jab but eeks out a close but UD, in a very competitive duel. Both guy's do a lot of damage to each other, but I don't see a stoppage, unless it's on cuts, Ray had an iron jaw, And Joe was impossible to discourage..
Frazier outworks Mercer with some exciting moments, if 15 rds see a late TKO stop for Joe. Mercer game but outworked
A prime Frazier stops him within 10 rounds. The same guy who blasted out Ellis, Quarry and Chuvalo also stops Ray Mercer.
Joe Frazier by clear decision but I wouldn't rule out a late round stoppage while Mercer is still on his feet. Mercer could take a good shot, that was easy to see. Mercer even developed a decent jab later in his career but he wasn't very fast and he wasn't hard to hit. The first couple of rounds are slow with both men in the center of the ring trying to feel each other out. Frazier lands the harder punches, Mercer lands some decent jabs. The fight is even after 2 rounds. Frazier picks up he pace in round 3 as does Mercer, It's a great round with both men landing at close range. 2 judges give it to Frazier, 1 for Mercer. In round 4 Frazier starts to bust up Mercer's face. Mercer's lips are swollen and the top lip is cut, his right eye is also starting to swell. Frazier's round. 3-1 Frazier. Eventually Mercer's face looks like hell but he's still game. He manages to win 4 more rounds but the ref thinks about stopping it 3 times. In the end Frazier gives praise to Mercer for his toughness. Frazier wins about 9 or 10 rounds out of 15. 1995- Yes, Mercer was game against Holyfield but clearly lost, Holyfield was also the first person to knock Mercer down... he took a knee to avoid more punches after getting rocked, but whatever. 1996- He fought very well against Lewis, some felt he should have won this fight or at least gotten a draw. Probably the best performance of his career. Late 1991- He took a beating from Morison for 3 1/2 rounds then hurt him late in the 4th. In round 5 he beat the **** out of Morrison and stopped him. 1990- He had a tough fight with Bert Cooper early in his career but dropped him and clearly won by decision. Early 1992- His first loss was to a determined old man named Larry Holmes. Holmes won just about every round and made Mercer look like an amateur. Early 1991- He was clearly outboxed by Damiani until Mercer landed an uppercut on the tip of Damiani's nose in round 9... broke nose and game over for Damiani. Late 1996- His fight vs. Witherspoon was good. It was a close fight but Mercer did just a little bit more than Witherspoon and got the nod.
Frazier's work rate rips Mercer apart for an 8th round stoppage. Mercer can't move well enough to keep Joe off of him. Mercer could take a good punch, but in this fight he has to take many good punched, with the key to a Frazier stoppage win being the dozens of hard body shots Mercer has to endure.
Holyfield dropped Mercer with a sneaky left hook, if I recall. I haven't watched the fight since it happened though I have it on tape. The knockdown seemed to come from nowhere, though obviously Holy set him up and timed it. I remember being surprised that Mercer was hurt enough to go down. Was it a case of hitting Ray just right or was it a case of Ray not believing that Holy had power given he was a manufactured heavyweight known for boxing more than power punching? Whatever the case, something caused Mercer to come in svelte, looking trimmer than he had in years. I think he was in top shape. Would Mercer take Frazier just as seriously, bracing for heavy shots? Absolutely! And I have to believe Joe's left hook would pack at least 50% juice than Holy's did.
