BoxRec

12 rounds.

Mercer stops him in a war-too much chin.

Ray Mercer by late KO

Mercer KO 10

Great fight

Mercer KO 9-11.

Wow...what a fight. Just imagining it is mind-blowing. Nearly impossible to call, too.

Normally, I would lean toward Shavers, who had a better resume against top-notch fighters. That's in addition to Earnie carrying ATG punching power (lethal), possessing remarkably fast hands, and being a great combination hitter.

Problem is, against guys durable enough to withstand his assault for four or five rounds, Shavers was a different fighter. Often, by the mid-rounds, he was exhausted and arm-weary.

Mercer, I'm pretty sure, was durable enough to hold up under Earnie's devastating early round assault. Ray's stiff, quick jab would also stand him in good stead. By the mid-rounds, Mercer could take control of the action and put his own power to work.

So, Mercer by mid-to-later rounds stoppage. I wouldn't want to bet on this, but if someone put a gun to my head, Ray would be my pick.

Very hard fight to call. You never knew what you were going to get with either guy. The Mercer that gave Holyfield a tough fight, could have got a decision against Lewis, stopped Morrison etc. would have had a very good chance.
On the other hand, he lost to Jesse Ferguson and barely beat him a rematch, and lost handily to an ancient Holmes.
Shavers of course, had his ups and downs as well.

Mercer did have a great chin and may have survived had he got in trouble. Though he never fought anyone with the power of Shavers and Mercer was hurt by Holyfield.

This is a matchup where if they fought several times, you would likely get several different scenarios. Easy to envisage either guy winning early or later, Easy to imagine either guy getting hurt and coming back to win.

easier to see the guy with the much better chin winning, mercer by stoppage

Mercer would win an 11th round stoppage, after being shook to the core early.