Ray Mercer V Razor Ruddock

[crippet]

So what would have happened?

[TBooze]

A chin nearly always beats a punch and Mercer at his best had both, Ruddock was always a bit soft around the chops.

Ruddock would always be in the bout, perhaps even leading, but in the end I think Mercer would find a way to stop Ruddock.

Mercer TKO9

[Sardu]

Good matchup! It is a shame this was never made cause' it would have been a fun fight for the fans to see. A serious, in-shape, dedicated Mercer, like when he fought Morrison and Lewis, beats Ruddock. Maybe even inside the distance. The sluggish Mercer who lost to Jesse Ferguson loses to Rudock by decision. Since we are assuming Mercer is at his best I take Mercer by UD.

[Holmes' Jab]

Ruddock was the better fighter of the two and had the edge in terms of skills, but Mercer was durable as hell and could hit near enough as hard. Ruddock on the otherhand had a vunerable chin- although his powers of recuperation were excellent. Ruddock at his best might be able to survive and edge out a decision, but that's a big might.

Stylistically I'd be more inclined to favour Mercer here, head-to-head. Perhaps by stoppage. :good

[PhillyPhan69]

Ruddock decision although a stoppage in his favor from 8 on would not shock me either.

[Russell]

Don't think Mercer's power was comparable to Ruddock's at all, honestly.

[radianttwilight]

Don't think Mercer's power was comparable to Ruddock's at all, honestly.

Me neither. I don't see why some say Ruddock has a bad chin, either.

[Russell]

Yeah, going the distance with Tyson doesn't scream bad chin to me.

And when Tyson did stop him it was pretty premature.

[radianttwilight]

Yeah, going the distance with Tyson doesn't scream bad chin to me.

And when Tyson did stop him it was pretty premature.

He always took a pretty good beating before he went out.

[rekcutnevets]

I'm leaning towards Ruddock by decision. Ruddock was, at times, able to put together effective combinations. I also see his "smash" used much like a jab in this fight, and keeping Mercer from getting near at times.

[DamonD]

Good matchup! It is a shame this was never made cause' it would have been a fun fight for the fans to see. A serious, in-shape, dedicated Mercer, like when he fought Morrison and Lewis, beats Ruddock. Maybe even inside the distance. The sluggish Mercer who lost to Jesse Ferguson loses to Rudock by decision. Since we are assuming Mercer is at his best I take Mercer by UD.
Yeah, I agree with all that, both scenarios.

If Ruddock could bring back a bit of his old stick 'n' move style, because he had a really nice jab when he used it, he could have a better chance at winning this. Instead he's more likely to just rely on the Smash, leaving Mercer to outwork him (even if Ray would have a pretty horrible headache the next day).

[slicksouthpaw16]

Mercer by KO in the 10th. Ruddock has the ability to out box Mercer but after seeing Ruddock give up his advantages in fights with Morrison and even with Tyson, i dont think he would. He tends to fight in close quarters for too long and that would play into the hands of Mercer. It would only be a matter of time. I even see Ruddock being ahead on points, but Mercer eventually catching up with him and wearing him down with power shots, stopping an over confident Donavan Ruddock in the 10th.

Also, i see that people are saying that if Tyson couldn't stop Ruddock, then Mercer couldn't? May i ask why? Mercer was far tougher than Tyson, has heart, and would not come out of his game plan if he is being out boxed. When Tyson was out boxed and losing a fight, he would just stare at his opponent and following him around the ring. Just look at the Douglas and Holyfield fight and you will see what i mean. Mercer is mentally strong enough to take shots and keep coming back.

[Sonny's jab]

Ruddock was brave and always picked himself up off the deck in fights (maybe that's why Lennox Lewis hit him TWICE when he was on the canvas!), but I dont think his chin or ability to stand up to a head shot was anything special.

I'm surprised every time I watch the second Tyson-Ruddock fight that Tyson is so sloppy he cant finish a hurt Ruddock in the early rounds.

Ruddock would be in real danger of getting stopped against the Mercer who "mercilessly" battered Tommy Morrison.

Then again, maybe even Mercer's chin wouldn't stand up to Ruddock's best punch he landed on Mike Dokes.

Basically, either guy could win this, on points or by KO, but I'd pick Mercer, who at his best was very competitive with Lewis and Holyfield.
Ruddock was mashed by Tyson, Lewis and Morrison, sooner or later. Razor was a bit of a hype job, but the chilling Dokes KO made that inevitable.

[anut]

ruddock 10 rd decision:smoke:smoke:smoke

[round15]

This fight never happened because a lot of fighters found an excuse not to get in the ring with Ruddock. As for the fight itself, Ruddock knocks Mercer out inside 10 rounds. Mercer probably has Ruddock hurt early in the fight but Razor would knock him out late, especially if he has his "razor" sharp jab working.

[Russell]

Eh, not sure if Ruddock could crack that chin. A full steam, on the button Morrison couldn't even begin too.

[fists of fury]

Ruddock was such an infuriating fighter to watch.
He had all the tools to be a heavyweight champion, and possibly even a very good one - ample size and strength, monstrous power, good boxing fundamentals and the heart of a lion.
What he lacked was a brain, and I'm only half-joking.

When he started to believe in his power, he became a one-dimensional plodder, always looking for that big left hand. It cost him badly in the Tyson fights and to a lesser extent in the Morrison fight.


Mercer I think, was not nearly as blessed when it came to physical gifts. He was never really any better than above-average as a boxer, but that granite chin allowed him to win fights he really should have lost.
He had good but not pulverising power, did not possess quick hands or feet, had limited endurance and was not much of a thinker in the ring.

On the face of it, if Ruddock had any kind of strategy and fully employed his considerable arsenal, I think he beats Mercer comforably on points.
Thing is, he'll try and be macho and it would cost him. Ray would absorb the punches and get in his own, and to me this would become a war of attrition.
Mercer rarely lost those and I think he'd overcome a knockdown to win on a split decision.

[ozziebattler]

Ruddock was brave and always picked himself up off the deck in fights (maybe that's why Lennox Lewis hit him TWICE when he was on the canvas!), but I dont think his chin or ability to stand up to a head shot was anything special.

I'm surprised every time I watch the second Tyson-Ruddock fight that Tyson is so sloppy he cant finish a hurt Ruddock in the early rounds.

Ruddock would be in real danger of getting stopped against the Mercer who "mercilessly" battered Tommy Morrison.

Then again, maybe even Mercer's chin wouldn't stand up to Ruddock's best punch he landed on Mike Dokes.

Basically, either guy could win this, on points or by KO, but I'd pick Mercer, who at his best was very competitive with Lewis and Holyfield.
Ruddock was mashed by Tyson, Lewis and Morrison, sooner or later. Razor was a bit of a hype job, but the chilling Dokes KO made that inevitable.

I actually believe Mercer won the lewis bout.

Mercer in his prime was a very good boxer with unbelievable heart/chin.

The poor bastard has become a sideshow these days.

Any1 see the Kimbo slice farce???It was pumped up as the mma fight of the century and then Kimbo goes for a chokehold.

Couldnt believe a guy that made his name beating up bums in backyard fist fights(most fights he stands there and lets his opponents hit him)
to show they got nothing.But against Mercer he goes for a takedown then chokehold.

I know this has nothing to do with this thread but it just shits me how big bad Kimbo shit talked up a big slugfest then delivers a chokehold.

Mercer would of owned that fool if they traded punches toe 2 toe.

[ozziebattler]

Ruddock was such an infuriating fighter to watch.
He had all the tools to be a heavyweight champion, and possibly even a very good one - ample size and strength, monstrous power, good boxing fundamentals and the heart of a lion.
What he lacked was a brain, and I'm only half-joking.

When he started to believe in his power, he became a one-dimensional plodder, always looking for that big left hand. It cost him badly in the Tyson fights and to a lesser extent in the Morrison fight.


Mercer I think, was not nearly as blessed when it came to physical gifts. He was never really any better than above-average as a boxer, but that granite chin allowed him to win fights he really should have lost.
He had good but not pulverising power, did not possess quick hands or feet, had limited endurance and was not much of a thinker in the ring.

On the face of it, if Ruddock had any kind of strategy and fully employed his considerable arsenal, I think he beats Mercer comforably on points.
Thing is, he'll try and be macho and it would cost him. Ray would absorb the punches and get in his own, and to me this would become a war of attrition.
Mercer rarely lost those and I think he'd overcome a knockdown to win on a split decision.

Totally agree with your post.

Ruddock was a decent fighter who definetly had it all to be a good world titlelist(2many belts).

Also if you rewatch the Morrison v Mercer bout you will see how good mercer's chin is.The bloke took massive shots and was easily getting outhustled until his opponent left a opening and wham he was merciless.

Both Mercer and Ruddock were extremely good fighters who if in their prime these days would probably be holding titles.

[round15]

When he started to believe in his power, he became a one-dimensional plodder, always looking for that big left hand. It cost him badly in the Tyson fights and to a lesser extent in the Morrison fight.

I agree with you here. Ruddock dissapointed a lot of his fans against Tyson, Lewis and Morrison because he was always looking for the one big shot from that hybrid left hook-uppercut. Why he didn't box and use the jab that gave him his nickname is beyond me. I don't know what happened between Ruddock and Floyd Patterson but he was looking good for a while when Floyd got him throwing more combinations.

[bxrfan]

Both were inconsistant, but I'd say that Ray Mercer wins a decision.