Word. UGTBK has forgotten that Tyson has beaten fighters that can take his punches before. I'm not sure Mercer even lasts the distance. He may even get Pinklon Thomased!
What you forget is that, unlike Smith, Tucker,Tillis and others that did go the distance with a prime Tyson, Mercer would be throwing shots back. Against Mercer, Tyson wouldn't get a clinch-happy opponent that is afraid to mix it up. With all of Mercer's faults, during his prime he was as fearless and rugged as they come. The truth be told, a 23 year old Tyson got bitch-whipped by Buster Douglas. Further truth be told, Tyson never beat an opponent as good as a prime Ray Mercer. Against Ray's ramrod jab and granite chin, Tyson would absolutely have his hands full. I see Mercer stopping Tyson late.
Tyson be underrated indeed if people would consider EVEN FOR A SECOND that he'd lose to a bum like Ray Mercer.
Mercer pushed both Holyfield and Lewis to their absolute limits, so the bum comment is a bit out of line. That being said I dont think Mercer's style would do him any favours against Mike.
Rebuke Accepted. But he lost to an ancient Larry Holmes and Jesse "Bumba" Ferguson. Tyson would maul him.
Styles make fights. Tyson is only 5'9 or so. Holmes is 6'3. Tyson wouldn't be ramming jabs and keeping Mercer on the outside. It would be a different type of fight altogether. That being said, Tyson should win on points.
The biggest bum of all Marion Wilson managed to draw with Mercer. I was a fan of Ray, but lets not overrate him. Tyson would beat his ass. It would be like the first 3 rounds of Morrison-Mercer, only Mike would do to Ray for 12 rounds what Tommy did for 3.
What HW did Tyson beat that was as good as a prime Mercer? The Ray Mercer that fought Lennox Lewis rips Tyson a new asshole.
Umm.... lets see. Tyson destroyed Holmes. Larry then went out on 4 years LATER to school a PRIME Mercer. Theres your answer to start.
:: Is that how you really judge mythical fights, X? That's like saying Holyfield destroys Tyson because Holyfield beat Buster who beat Tyson's ass. It doesn't even make sense, bro. No sense. 'A beats B, B beats C, C beats A' scenarios are common in sports, especially boxing. Tyson beat a 2 year inactive 37 year old Holmes who was coming off 2 losses to Spinks. No tune ups nothing. It'd be like taking Sampras today and throwing him in there with Federer. Federer winning isn't a grand accomplishment.
he wasn't judging the match up in those terms, he was judging the quality of a fighter. And he point he made was a good one. Mercer was no better than some of the guys Mike beat in his first reign (who are deffinitley collectivly underrated now).
How come he didn't judge Mercer based on his performances 3 or so years later against the likes of Holyfield and Lewis? :dunno:
Tyson on points. Ray's face would look worse then he did against Bert Cooper (even though he won the fight
Tyson on points... Mercer had a battering ram for a jab, but it wasnt quick enough to really be consistently effective against Tyson... Tyson wasnt dumb either, he'd recognize Mercer's jab as a major weapon and he'd be on the look out for it... Mercer had a tungsten chin, so he'd go the distance, but he'd be comprehensively outworked and outboxed... he might manage to buzz Tyson with one or two heavy shots, maybe a steal a couple of rounds, but I like "Iron Mike" by very clear, easy decision
