This fight could have been a real classic given the toughness of Mercer, but if we are assuming Bowe is focused and fit I envisage things going his way. Assuming there has been a Bowe/Lewis poll thread could someone give me a link or even tell me what the results were roughly, I expect Lewis will be the popular pick but am curious how many would favour the best version of Bowe. (the search function doesn't work for me)
I think he is but I doubt it would be the determining factor here. Lewis didn't have the ability to keep Mercer off of him and I doubt that Bowe would too.
Depends on when they would have fought, early 90's Bowe would have won by decision, Mercer would have had moments but lost down the stretch, mid 90's Mercer got his act together & pushed Holyfield close & arguably beat Lewis, whereas Bowe struggled to regain the form from his earlier career & i believe Mercer pulls off a shock win, Bowe was the better fighter overall though.
The point is Bowe wouldn't need to keep him off him because Bowe was great on the inside and liked to fight on the inside. That was a unique strength of his for a man his size. That said, that's fighting Mercer where he was best. Mercer was kind of limited, but in a fight that's on his terms, assuming he's in shape and motivated, he's a rough night for anyone.
I think Mercer could drag Bowe into deep waters. Hell, Coetzer gave a prime Bowe some discomfort and made him resort to low blows. But then we could get the Ferguson version of Mercer who would just sleepwalk through the bout and collect his check. Something tells me, though, that Mercer would be up for this one.
You have hurt my feelings for the last time. I'm never giving up this booty again to the likes of you. Don't even try to get with this again. #noscrubs
Bowe had an excellent jab and would be quite fine in regard to fighting inside. Mercer was completely foozled by an over 40 Larry Holmes' left jab (among other things). I'd daresay Bowe's left was far sharper and probably as powerful as Larry's in 1992 so Mercer loses a clear UD.