Ray Mercer vs Sonny Liston

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jun 23, 2023.


Who wins and how

  1. Liston KO/TKO

    12 vote(s)
    42.9%

  2. Mercer KO/TKO

    3 vote(s)
    10.7%

  3. Liston UD

    11 vote(s)
    39.3%

  4. Mercer UD

    2 vote(s)
    7.1%

  5. Liston SD

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  6. Mercer SD

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  7. Draw

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
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  1. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    The immovable object meets the unstoppable force. Before you laugh at this matchup, remember, Mercer stood toe to toe with a prime Lennox Lewis and gave him all he could handle. And Mercer could crack himself.

    So let's say that instead of meeting Cleveland Williams in 1960, the best version of Mercer was put in Williams place. What happens next?
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jun 23, 2023
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jun 23, 2023
    #1
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  2. Spreadeagle

    Spreadeagle Active Member Full Member

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    An in-form Ray Mercer would give a helluva fight to just about any heavyweight in history.
    However I would back Liston to win by decision.
    Two reasons for Liston winning,and winning by decision rather than ko : Liston's legendary jab
    and Mercer's equally legendary chin.
     
    Spreadeagle, Jun 24, 2023
    Spreadeagle, Jun 24, 2023
    #2
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  3. Turnip mk3

    Turnip mk3 Active Member Full Member

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    Mercer at his best !! Hell of fight Mercer would not be intimidated one little bit !!
     
    Turnip mk3, Jun 24, 2023
    Turnip mk3, Jun 24, 2023
    #3
    Fergy likes this.
  4. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I am not the biggest Liston fan, but I will go with him here. Mercer was hot and cold--he could really stink things up when he wanted to.
     
    catchwtboxing, Jun 24, 2023
    catchwtboxing, Jun 24, 2023
    #4
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  5. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I can't imagine Mercer standing in front of Liston for 10 or 12 rounds, his defense wasn't that great.
     
    Reinhardt, Jun 24, 2023
    Reinhardt, Jun 24, 2023
    #5
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  6. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He chased a prime Lewis around the ring, in front of him the entire time, for 10 rounds, generally bullying him and giving him a rough time. Took some big punches without issue. Generally outboxed Lewis and looked great.

    If that Mercer showed up, Liston may be in trouble. Liston and Lewis are, in a general way, similar fighters. Big hitters who actually learned to box quite well instead of falling in love with their own power. If Mercer could give Lewis hell like he did, he could probably do the same to Liston.
     
    Barrf, Jun 24, 2023
    Barrf, Jun 24, 2023
    #6
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  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Could be a hell of a tough fight for Liston, if Mercer of the Lewis fight mindset turns up.
    He'd probably lose a decision but make Liston fight for it.
     
    Fergy, Jun 24, 2023
    Fergy, Jun 24, 2023
    #7
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  8. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Who is ready to suffer for Christ (the truth)? Full Member

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    Ray Mercer's peak was a fight with Lewis and he lost it, but he didn't lose it by robbery. IF Ray was in that kind of shape against Liston, he would have a chance. But I think he would have to knock Liston out because I don't see Ray Mercer winning a 15 round fight against Liston on points.
    Sonny Liston wins one way or another.
     
    ikrasevic, Jun 24, 2023
    ikrasevic, Jun 24, 2023
    #8
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  9. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Liston's face might be swollen, but I think his superior jab and boxing skills wins him a decision against Mercer.
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jun 24, 2023
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jun 24, 2023
    #9
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  10. Levook

    Levook Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Liston and Lennox Lewis were very different fighters.

    Liston late TKO.
     
    Levook, Jun 24, 2023
    Levook, Jun 24, 2023
    #10
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  11. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Both are boxer punchers but Lewis is taller and longer and I'd say a harder puncher. Liston, at least at his peak, had the edge on durability.
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jun 24, 2023
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jun 24, 2023
    #11
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  12. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    I would be interested to know @Pat M rationale for picking Mercer to KO Liston
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jun 24, 2023
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jun 24, 2023
    #12
  13. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Oct 4, 2016

    Mercer won't be chasing Charles Sonny Liston, and nobody bullied Sonny
     
    Reinhardt, Jun 24, 2023
    Reinhardt, Jun 24, 2023
    #13
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  14. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Mercer was a solid 225 pound HW with an iron chin and while not an ATG puncher, he had a hurtful HW punch (ask the late Tommy Morrison).

    I pick Liston to win, no doubt about it, but this won't be a walk in the park.
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jun 24, 2023
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jun 24, 2023
    #14
    Pugguy likes this.
  15. Levook

    Levook Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I meant their mentalities in the ring - Liston was very aggressive, Lennox more laid-back.
     
    Levook, Jun 24, 2023
    Levook, Jun 24, 2023
    #15
    Flash24 and swagdelfadeel like this.
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