What was the difference in the way both the iron chinned guys went the distance with Lennox? Both took him all the way, but Mercer ran him close while Tua seemed to be an easy shut out.
The jab of Mercer, also when Tua felt the power of Lewis he became too passive and was only looking for one shot
Cheers, good answer. Can't believe how passive Tua became against Lewis, but then again Lennox did set out to show him. Ray gave it his best shot, was a close fight as I recall.
Tua simply didn't have the size or reach to be effective against a guy like Manny Steward trained Lewis. Like Tommy Hearns, Steward trained Lewis to make the most of his physical gifts and how to deal with a smaller fighter by keeping them on the outside. Guys like Tua and Tyson simply could not deal with Lewis jab and if they did get inside,, they were getting smashed with a right uppercut. Mercer had a really good jab and more importantly a physical presence that troubled Lewis. He simply would not back up much in the same way that Rahman and McCall didn't either in their first fights with Lewis. Bottom line, once you let Lewis dictate the range and pace, you are done. The key to beating him was to push him back.
Tua actually did well for about four rounds before totally packing it in. I’m not sure why he fell so hard off his gameplan.
Excellent answer thanks. Mercer came the closest, apart from McCall obviously, at beating Mercer for me. Good comeback fight for Lennox
I think Mercer's amateur pedigree and jab helped a lot. Mercer was a tricky guy who could beat anyone on any given night. Tua never struck me as quite as clever in the ring and I think once he was stripped of his athletic ability during his late career, you saw his limitations a lot more.
As others have pointed out it was Mercer's jab that gave Lewis problems, he actually outjabbed Lewis which is surprising considering Lewis's height and reach. Mercer when he was on his game could do more things than Tua, who was pretty one dimensional and could be outboxed for large periods in fights. Remember Tua had to dig himself out of hole vs Maskaev, Rahman. Another factor is Tua was too heavy vs Lewis at 245 pounds, so he was sluggish and not in the best condition. Tua's best weight was 220+ so as you can see he was atleast 20 pounds off his peak weight.
Quick question, mate, but think I know the answer. Tua v Mercer. And I don't think it's ending in a ko!
I think Mercer at his best could beat him, he could control Tua with the jab and outbox him. Although Tua would make it rough him for certain.
Yes especially that version from the Lewis fight or the Cooper one even. He fought through pain for the win against Bert, his face was swollen as hell.
It would be brutal, both at their best will mean both guys eat a tremendous amount of shots and I doubt either back down. It could go either way but if I had to pick, then Mercer by close decision with rounds that could go either way. Someone call 1996 HBO and have them book this.
