This fight would highly likely get out of the first half of the fight, because Mecer was very durable, and if he started putting it on him mid-late rounds once Tyson started gassing, forcing him to work when he doesn’t want to, busting him up with the jab, fighting on the inside occasionally, outmuscling him and getting punches off, wearing him down, it’s not like Tyson could just stay away, he’s gotta go to Mercer, and Mercer is stronger, more durable, yes Tyson is faster, but if the fights gets out of the first half, which it most likely would, Mercer has better stamina, so the speed gap would even out, so by the 9th round, what does Tyson have over him at that point? He may start getting bullied, busted up with the jab and manhandled, I’m not predicting anything, simply analysing this form a stylistic perspective and I notice how people don’t rate Mercer’s chances, Tyson was a higher quality, but the styles and attributes Mercer has is enough to give Tyson hell late on in the fight. Tyson preferred guys who would move, he’d close them off, get into mid range, force them to commit, then beat them to the punch in mid range in the trades, he didn’t like it right up close when there was strength, grappling, body manipulation and pushing to get punches off, he preferred trading or, if it was up close, to remain solely punches. Who wins this matchup?
Interesting post. Tyson is a much better fighter than Mercer but I've always felt Ray was all wrong for him. He ain't intimidating Mercer, he won't knock him out and I don't think he outworks him. It's one of the ultimate styles make fights matchups.
It's an interesting fight and a shame they never met, but the timing was all wrong. But can you imagine Tyson and mercer meeting head on?!!
No shot Tyson is leagues about Mercer you're talking about a fighter who got a broken jaw vs Cooper, lost every round to Damiani, went life and death with Wilson, Ferguson, and was schooled by an old Holmes. For reference Tyson destroyed a younger Holmes in 4 rounds and destroyed a younger version of Ferguson. Mercer is far too slow and too hittable I think a prime Tyson could very well stop Mercer who is not on Tyson's level.
If Tyson couldn’t put him away with shots to the face, & it’s an ‘if’ in my book, he would go to the body as well. Mercer doesn’t do a single thing as well as Tyson, save take a punch, & perhaps jab (which he routinely under-employed anyway). I can agree it’s a harder fight for Tyson than it appears on paper, but an actual Mercer victory? Not going to happen.
I'd go as far as Tyson stopping Mercer with in 7rds. Prime vs prime. If he doesn't stop him by knocking him out, the ref wouldn't have a choice but to stop the fight. Mike Tyson was simply on a complete different level , a much higher level of skills and physicality in comparison to Ray Mercer. Mercer would have a better chance than I would...... But if someone believes I'd have a chance in a boxing ring against prime Mike Tyson, I own the Empire State building too, and trying to sell it for a discount. lol
It’s not impossible but also not something I’d give Mercer much of a chance to do. He’d be getting hit with an incredible amount of hard shots and Tyson wasn’t exactly without a chin himself
Ray Mercer is one of the most overrated heavyweights of all time. The 86-88 Tyson either stops him or gives him a horrible beating all night. Either way, Mercer is miles out of his depth.
At his absolute best I think Mercer would definitely give Tyson hell, but I still think Tyson would manage a decision with his superior skill and defense.
Mismatch. Prime Tyson beats Mercer like a drum. Imagine the first two rounds of the Morrison bout only for the whole fight as Tyson has superior stamina, durability and head movement. Mercer is a rough guy but this is a hellish beatdown. Now post prison Tyson maybe Mercer sucks it up enough until Tyson tires. But Tyson up until prison cleans his clock.