BoxRec

12 rounds.

Mercer was a much tougher fighter, which would be a key here. Cooney could have success early on, but Mercer would overcome it and break Cooney down eventually.

mercer would defo ko him hard at some point, an iron chinned fighter with power is a bad match for big coon

If Cooney fight Mercer in a right fight, he would nail him with body punches, combinations and a big left hook that would hurt Mercer along the way. Mercer may have his moments by jabbing and landing bombs, but Cooney scored more left hooks to take a decision at best since the prime Mercer had an iron chin or else Cooney gas himself out and Mercer stop him in the late rounds.

Mercer by KO 9

I don't see Cooney doing very well here.

Yeah, Mercer within 5.

scorpio83 wrote: ↑25 Jul 2021, 06:08 If Cooney fight Mercer in a right fight, he would nail him with body punches, combinations and a big left hook that would hurt Mercer along the way. Mercer may have his moments by jabbing and landing bombs, but Cooney scored more left hooks to take a decision at best since the prime Mercer had an iron chin or else Cooney gas himself out and Mercer stop him in the late rounds.

I agree more so with this version.Cooneys power was world class. And best I remember Mercer while tough wasn't my idea of deadgame.wasnt it him that tries to bribe Jesse Ferguson to throw the fight because Ferguson was giving him fits?

And Cooney lost to 3 all time greats ,no shame in that. Had he been managed different Im sure he would have been Champion.
Mercer was rough and rugged and could punch but this could be Cooneys fight

Tommy Morrison all over again. Mercer in 5 to 8 rounds

Not difficult imagining this scenario. Would lean towards Mercer myself. His chin would probably hold up against Cooney and he would eventually stop him.

However, Cooney would have a serious chance. Mercer was lethargic in some fights. The Mercer who had all that trouble with Jesse Ferguson would have lost to Cooney.

Cooney was was much more impressive against a prime Holmes than Mercer was against an ancient Holmes.

Still on balance, have to favor Mercer.

Mercer by 9th round TKO.