Bowe by decision is the logical pick. Mercer stopping Bowe late (come from behind) wouldn't surprise me in the least though...
Yeah, sorry man. Long day. I think Bowe wins both, but in the case of a 96 fight, I think it'd life & death on the cards, and might even go the other way. I figure Bowe to manage to get slightly the better of most exchanges, but Mercer would force one fuck of a fight.
'92 Bowe beats any version of Mercer, decision the most likely outcome just a matter of how wide. '96 Mercer beats '96 Bowe
Mercer wouldn't stop Bowe. If Bowe is in any sort of shape he gives Mercer a hiding. People shouldn't confuse Mercers brave show vs Lewis with Bowe's no-show with Lewis and then parlay that into giving Ray a good chance here. He's smaller, and, unlike Lewis, Bowe has a good inside game. This is Bowe's. Prime for prime and in 1996. In 1996 Bowe still had enough to basically out-last a Golota, who, physically, was Mercers superior in every regard. Vince Phillips, on the other hand...........
Styles make fights. Mercer gave Lewis HELL(he won IMO)..... but I think Bowe beats him clearly. Bowe was better suited for a brawl than Lewis. Plus Mercer had good power, but not enough power to do any serious damage to Bowe. Exciting fight, but Riddick wins VERY clearly. In fact Riddick would probably be kicking Ray's ass one sidedly towards the end. BTW - I remember soon as Lewis-Mercer was over, Lampley and Merchant basically saying that Lewis would be easy pickings for Tyson.
I just think a big, strong guy with a granite chin and a telphone pole jab would give Riddick a hell of a time I don't see it as one-sided at all
