BoxRec

12 rounds, winner gets a shot at the world title

It could be a great brawl. Both wasn't against such stuff and both were gutsy. However, Mercer almost literally seemed to be iron, I guess, that would be a key to his win. Mercer by dec or late stoppage.

I could see Jerry edging Ray in a split verdict. But if he gets cut, loses on a 10th round TKO.

Ray Mercer by cuts in 9

Mercer stops Quarry late in a war.

In his prime, Quarry was only beaten by fighters with special attributes:

Jimmy Ellis (boxing ability)
Muhammad Ali (ATG)
Joe Frazier (ATG)
George Chuvalo (ruggedness, durability)

Apart from Jesse Ferguson (who he beat in a rematch), the same might be said for Ray Mercer:

Evander Holyfield (ATG)
Lennox Lewis (ATG, though a very close fight -- Mercer may have deserved the decision)

Incidentally, Quarry tended to do well against former US military boxers and boxers who came late to the game.

Mercer's best win was probably Tommy Morrison.

Quarry's were Earnie Shavers, Ron Lyle, Floyd Patterson, and an undefeated Mac Foster.

I think Quarry has a chance vs. Mercer if he is able to time and counter him for the whole 12 rounds while remaining elusive enough not to get cut & busted up, but I also think Mercer has the "special" quality of durability and determination that could give him the edge over Quarry.

If Quarry tried to outbox him, he would have a much better chance than trying to win in the trenches.

Quarry often started strong, was a punching bad in the middle rounds, then rallied in the late rounds.
Mercer's strong chin would enable him to get through the early rounds.
Then Quarry would go into punching bad mode in the middle rounds. This is when Mercer might start to take control. Question would be if Mercer could stop him.
If Quarry survives the middle rounds, then the last few rounds would be interesting.