Ray Mercer vs. Rocky Marciano

[Controversial]

Two solid hitters with good chins, Mercer the bigger guy though. Outcome?

[Goodnight, Irene]

I don't think any version of Mercer would have the stamina to stay with the Rock for a whole fight, not the type of fight I think it would be anyway. I think he would get wore down and the ref would end up stopping it. I think it would be an action-packed fight similar to Walcott-Marciano.

Yep. This is Mercer, not Tyson. He has the size, a better jab, and perhaps a stronger chin. In all other areas, Marciano has him beat...including the fight itself.

[gilgamesh]

Yeah Mercer never accomplished enough in his career to give him an edge against the likes of Marciano even in a mythical match-up. Marciano all the way

[Controversial]

Yeah Mercer never accomplished enough in his career to give him an edge against the likes of Marciano even in a mythical match-up. Marciano all the way

Not sure what you mean by not achieving enough? I don't think its a no-brainer for Marciano. Mercer had height, weight and reach advantage plus a rock solid chin and decent power, always a dangerous combination. Mercer could be outboxed by good boxers but Marciano unlikely to do that to him.

[BoxBuzz]

Yeah....but does Mercer have a "0" in his loss column? I think not.

Case closed.

[Controversial]

Yeah....but does Mercer have a "0" in his loss column? I think not.

Case closed.

Oh yeah I forgot, anyone who retires unbeaten is obviously unbeatable.....stupid question when I think about it.

[BoxBuzz]

Exactly.

Should Calzaghe and Ottke ever sign to fight....it will signify "the end of days".

[Goodnight, Irene]

I'd be pretty happy to take bets Marciano chalks up 50-0-0 if this were his next bout.

[loaded_gloves]

To say Marciano would stop Mercer is quite a shout - considering that Lennox Lewis, Tim Witherspoon, Bert Cooper, and Tommy Morrison (among others) whacked him square on the jaw with full blooded power punches and never budged him - any sort of Rock stoppage doesn't quite add up for me.

Two super tough men though. I might lean to Marciano on points after a war, simply because of the man's mentality - he never stepped into the ring out of shape and would work himself down into phenomenal condition. Mercer didn't quite have the same desire.

[dempseyfire]

When I said that the fight would look similar to Walcott-Marciano, that was actually a compliment to Mercer, because Walcott controlled most of that fight. I don't think this would end in a dramatic one-punch knockout, but more likely a stoppage from an accumulation of punishment.

I think Mercer would blow his load early, get hit everywhere, and eventually slow down too much and get stopped.

He certainly could box well enough, possessed good speed and power, and would have been bigger than both of the aforementioned fighters. I think he would probably look good early on, and who knows, given his size, speed and power, and the fact that I think he would be able to take Rocky's shots for most of the fight, in those middle rounds Mercer might even be able to, dare I say...stop the Rock???

I guess what I'm saying is that anything is possible, but in my opinion Mercer would get wore down and the ref, corner, or doctor would have to step in before the final bell.

Mercer didn't have anywhere NEAR the skill level of Walcott.
First off, Mercer was not a very big HW. He was just over 6 ft and had been weighing at 200 lbs in the AMs in his late 20s. Yes as his career progressed the guy got fatter but it's not like he was 230 lbs of muscle.

2ndly, Mercer had a good jab and OK offensive skills, but had awful defense, awful stamina, and awful footwork. If perennial losers Mo Wilson and Jesse Ferguson can outhustle Mercer, you can bet your a$$ Marciano will and yes he'd have Mercer close to a knockout at several points within the fight. Over 15 give me Rocky by stoppage.

Mercer like Tua has gotten incredibly over-rated with time.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Marciano out-works him to a near shutout decision. Mercer needed extension to inflict what has become highly overrated power and he wouldn't have any. Marciano would be chewing on his chest hair from the opening bell and Ray would be sucking wind from the pace after about 10 minutes.

As for Walcott in comparison to Mercer. Just flip in the Holmes fight, he would get another schooling just like that.

[baulks]

Marciano wins a SD on workrate, and agility to avoid Mercer's bombs. Also, Mercer's lack of endurance late on slows his workrate. No way can Marciano stop him.

[The End]

It's farfetched for Robinson to beat Roy Jones but not for Mercer to beat Marciano?

[dempseyfire]

When I said that the fight would look similar to Walcott-Marciano, that was actually a compliment to Mercer, because Walcott controlled most of that fight. I don't think this would end in a dramatic one-punch knockout, but more likely a stoppage from an accumulation of punishment.

I think Mercer would blow his load early, get hit everywhere, and eventually slow down too much and get stopped.

He certainly could box well enough, possessed good speed and power, and would have been bigger than both of the aforementioned fighters. I think he would probably look good early on, and who knows, given his size, speed and power, and the fact that I think he would be able to take Rocky's shots for most of the fight, in those middle rounds Mercer might even be able to, dare I say...stop the Rock???

I guess what I'm saying is that anything is possible, but in my opinion Mercer would get wore down and the ref, corner, or doctor would have to step in before the final bell.

Mercer didn't have anywhere NEAR the skill level of Walcott.
First off, Mercer was not a very big HW. He was just over 6 ft and had been weighing at 200 lbs in the AMs in his late 20s. Yes as his career progressed the guy got fatter but it's not like he was 230 lbs of muscle.

2ndly, Mercer had a good jab and OK offensive skills, but had awful defense, awful stamina, and awful footwork. If perennial losers Mo Wilson and Jesse Ferguson can outhustle Mercer, you can bet your a$$ Marciano will and yes he'd have Mercer close to a knockout at several points within the fight. Over 15 give me Rocky by stoppage.

Mercer like Tua has gotten incredibly over-rated with time.

Well I was considering Mercer fighting the absolute best fight of his life, in the best condition he was ever in. I also said that Marciano would stop him.

Just curious, did you read my entire post, or just skim through it?

I think a good jab and "OK" offensive skills would have been enough to trouble Marciano early in the fight. Did you read the part where I said Mercer would blow his load early whilst getting hit everywhere? Where did I say that Mercer was on Walcott's level? I said that the fight would look similar, that's not saying he was on Walcott's level, just that this fight would be fought with similar styles. Mercer was bigger than both of them, that's a fact. Mercer could look good at times, and lazy at others. If he fought like his life depeded on it, I think he would do ok in the early rounds. Sorry if that bothers you.

Mercer on his best night would give Walcott all kinds of trouble too.

I don't agree about Mercer giving Walcott much trouble, but really only my first comment was directed to your post and the rest was directed to the other comments on here which favored Mercer to win. Sorry, I do that sometimes (quote a comment but then have much of my writing really addressing other posts). I do recognize you ultimately favor the correct man

[Controversial]

First off, Mercer was not a very big HW. He was just over 6 ft and had been weighing at 200 lbs in the AMs in his late 20s. Yes as his career progressed the guy got fatter but it's not like he was 230 lbs of muscle.

If perennial losers Mo Wilson and Jesse Ferguson can outhustle Mercer, you can bet your a$$ Marciano will and yes he'd have Mercer close to a knockout at several points within the fight. Over 15 give me Rocky by stoppage.

The lightest Mercer ever weighed as a pro was 210lbs (12th fight), even then he would have been a good 20-25lbs heavier than Marciano. Marciano never fought anyone of Mercers size that could bang, take a punch and were still in their prime. Pretty much everyone Marciano fought was under 200lbs. I know size isn't always the deciding factor but 2-3 stone is a lot to give away.

I think its far from being an easy fight for Marciano

[raylawpc]

First off, Mercer was not a very big HW. He was just over 6 ft and had been weighing at 200 lbs in the AMs in his late 20s. Yes as his career progressed the guy got fatter but it's not like he was 230 lbs of muscle.

If perennial losers Mo Wilson and Jesse Ferguson can outhustle Mercer, you can bet your a$$ Marciano will and yes he'd have Mercer close to a knockout at several points within the fight. Over 15 give me Rocky by stoppage.

The lightest Mercer ever weighed as a pro was 210lbs (12th fight), even then he would have been a good 20-25lbs heavier than Marciano. Marciano never fought anyone of Mercers size that could bang, take a punch and were still in their prime. Pretty much everyone Marciano fought was under 200lbs. I know size isn't always the deciding factor but 2-3 stone is a lot to give away.

I think its far from being an easy fight for Marciano

Just because he never had to doesn't mean he couldn't.

[Controversial]

Just because he never had to doesn't mean he couldn't.

Yeah of course but it wouldn't be easy that's all I'm saying

[hhaehre]

My problem with giving Mercer much of a chance against Marciano is that Mercer wasn't all that good. His granite chin and spectacular knockout of Morrison makes many people rate him along side of world champions. One tends to forget that Mercer lost to the mighty Jesse Ferguson, barely scraped by in the rematch, got schooled by the 43 year old Larry Holmes and drew with Marion Wilson. Yet he is supposed to give Marciano hell because he was such a good boxer with such a hard punch? This is the Marciano who did not get out boxed by the likes of Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore but Mercer would do it? Mercer with his 60% knock out ratio would pose a danger to Marciano? The same Mercer who faded down the stretch even when he was in shape is supposed to stay with possibly the best conditioned heavy weight of all time for 15 rounds?
I just don't see any way for Mercer to beat Marciano, the only question would be if he could last the distance.

[Controversial]

My problem with giving Mercer much of a chance against Marciano is that Mercer wasn't all that good. His granite chin and spectacular knockout of Morrison makes many people rate him along side of world champions. One tends to forget that Mercer lost to the mighty Jesse Ferguson, barely scraped by in the rematch, got schooled by the 43 year old Larry Holmes and drew with Marion Wilson. Yet he is supposed to give Marciano hell because he was such a good boxer with such a hard punch? This is the Marciano who did not get out boxed by the likes of Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore but Mercer would do it? Mercer with his 60% knock out ratio would pose a danger to Marciano? The same Mercer who faded down the stretch even when he was in shape is supposed to stay with possibly the best conditioned heavy weight of all time for 15 rounds?
I just don't see any way for Mercer to beat Marciano, the only question would be if he could last the distance.

Mercer gave Lewis and Holyfield tough fights, when he trained and was focused he was a dangerous fighter. He had good boxing ability, you don't win an Olympic gold medal without being able to box. Mercer could be outboxed but Marciano wasn't known for his boxing ability so Marciano unlikely to do that to him. I think it would be a hard fight for both and I don't see it as a walk over for Marciano, not giving 2-3 stone away.

[hhaehre]

My problem with giving Mercer much of a chance against Marciano is that Mercer wasn't all that good. His granite chin and spectacular knockout of Morrison makes many people rate him along side of world champions. One tends to forget that Mercer lost to the mighty Jesse Ferguson, barely scraped by in the rematch, got schooled by the 43 year old Larry Holmes and drew with Marion Wilson. Yet he is supposed to give Marciano hell because he was such a good boxer with such a hard punch? This is the Marciano who did not get out boxed by the likes of Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore but Mercer would do it? Mercer with his 60% knock out ratio would pose a danger to Marciano? The same Mercer who faded down the stretch even when he was in shape is supposed to stay with possibly the best conditioned heavy weight of all time for 15 rounds?
I just don't see any way for Mercer to beat Marciano, the only question would be if he could last the distance.

Mercer gave Lewis and Holyfield tough fights, when he trained and was focused he was a dangerous fighter. He had good boxing ability, you don't win an Olympic gold medal without being able to box. Mercer could be outboxed but Marciano wasn't known for his boxing ability so Marciano unlikely to do that to him. I think it would be a hard fight for both and I don't see it as a walk over for Marciano, not giving 2-3 stone away.

I'm not saying Mercer was garbage, just that he is overrated and that he was not a championship caliber fighter. Mercer did well against Lewis and Holyfield but he faded down the stretch in both fight, especially against Holyfield. The Holyfield fight is indicative as to how a Marciano fight would go, Holyfield kept up the pace and finished strong while Mercer slowed down. As for Mercers Olympic gold, he was a 27 year old man fighting boys. BTW I never suggested Marciano would out box Mercer, just that Mercer would not out box Marciano.

[Controversial]

My problem with giving Mercer much of a chance against Marciano is that Mercer wasn't all that good. His granite chin and spectacular knockout of Morrison makes many people rate him along side of world champions. One tends to forget that Mercer lost to the mighty Jesse Ferguson, barely scraped by in the rematch, got schooled by the 43 year old Larry Holmes and drew with Marion Wilson. Yet he is supposed to give Marciano hell because he was such a good boxer with such a hard punch? This is the Marciano who did not get out boxed by the likes of Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore but Mercer would do it? Mercer with his 60% knock out ratio would pose a danger to Marciano? The same Mercer who faded down the stretch even when he was in shape is supposed to stay with possibly the best conditioned heavy weight of all time for 15 rounds?
I just don't see any way for Mercer to beat Marciano, the only question would be if he could last the distance.

Mercer gave Lewis and Holyfield tough fights, when he trained and was focused he was a dangerous fighter. He had good boxing ability, you don't win an Olympic gold medal without being able to box. Mercer could be outboxed but Marciano wasn't known for his boxing ability so Marciano unlikely to do that to him. I think it would be a hard fight for both and I don't see it as a walk over for Marciano, not giving 2-3 stone away.

I'm not saying Mercer was garbage, just that he is overrated and that he was not a championship caliber fighter. Mercer did well against Lewis and Holyfield but he faded down the stretch in both fight, especially against Holyfield. The Holyfield fight is indicative as to how a Marciano fight would go, Holyfield kept up the pace and finished strong while Mercer slowed down. As for Mercers Olympic gold, he was a 27 year old man fighting boys. BTW I never suggested Marciano would out box Mercer, just that Mercer would not out box Marciano.

I agree to a certain extent but the point I was trying to make was Mercer is physically so much bigger than Marciano it would be hard for Marciano to impose his strength on him. As you say Marciano isn't going to outbox Mercer, he would trade with him, thats the only way he knew how to fight. Trading against similar sized fighters is one thing, to do it against someone almost 3 stone heavier is another, especially when the bigger guy has a granite chin and can bang himself. Marciano wasn't the traditional one punch KO artist (Walcott aside). He normally battered fighters into submission by outworking them and breaking them up, the real question is could Marciano trade punches and have the same impact on a much bigger fighter? Marciano never fought anyone half decent who was that much bigger than him.

I think Mercers punch would have more of an effect on Marciano than Marcianos would have on Mercer, that makes it a hard fight.

[yancey]

First off, Mercer was not a very big HW. He was just over 6 ft and had been weighing at 200 lbs in the AMs in his late 20s. Yes as his career progressed the guy got fatter but it's not like he was 230 lbs of muscle.

If perennial losers Mo Wilson and Jesse Ferguson can outhustle Mercer, you can bet your a$$ Marciano will and yes he'd have Mercer close to a knockout at several points within the fight. Over 15 give me Rocky by stoppage.

The lightest Mercer ever weighed as a pro was 210lbs (12th fight), even then he would have been a good 20-25lbs heavier than Marciano. Marciano never fought anyone of Mercers size that could bang, take a punch and were still in their prime. Pretty much everyone Marciano fought was under 200lbs. I know size isn't always the deciding factor but 2-3 stone is a lot to give away.

I think its far from being an easy fight for Marciano

Agree with this.

[raylawpc]

First off, Mercer was not a very big HW. He was just over 6 ft and had been weighing at 200 lbs in the AMs in his late 20s. Yes as his career progressed the guy got fatter but it's not like he was 230 lbs of muscle.

If perennial losers Mo Wilson and Jesse Ferguson can outhustle Mercer, you can bet your a$$ Marciano will and yes he'd have Mercer close to a knockout at several points within the fight. Over 15 give me Rocky by stoppage.

The lightest Mercer ever weighed as a pro was 210lbs (12th fight), even then he would have been a good 20-25lbs heavier than Marciano. Marciano never fought anyone of Mercers size that could bang, take a punch and were still in their prime. Pretty much everyone Marciano fought was under 200lbs. I know size isn't always the deciding factor but 2-3 stone is a lot to give away.

I think its far from being an easy fight for Marciano

Agree with this.

Another surprise . . .

[Crease]

I don't think any version of Mercer would have the stamina to stay with the Rock for a whole fight

I was thinking along the same lines. For me it's a question of stamina and Rocky has more of it.

[scallum]

I like Rocky but this seems like a very tough nite for him. If Mercer is in shape his jab, size n chin may be just to much for Rocky. The Rock could also be just to much of a bull and score late round ko