Ray Mercer: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|American boxer, kickboxer and mixed martial artist}} | {{short description|American boxer, kickboxer and mixed martial artist}} | ||
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2016}} | {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2016}} | ||
{{Infobox martial artist | {{Infobox martial artist | ||
| name = Ray Mercer | | name = Ray Mercer | ||
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|mma_subloss=|children=9}} | |mma_subloss=|children=9}} | ||
'''Raymond Anthony Mercer''' (born April 4, 1961) is | '''Raymond Anthony Mercer''' (born April 4, 1961) is a former American [[professional boxer]], [[kickboxer]], and [[mixed martial artist]] who competed from 1989 to 2009. Mercer won a [[heavyweight]] gold medal at the [[1988 Summer Olympics]] as an [[amateur boxing|amateur]], and later held the [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]] [[heavyweight]] title in 1991 as a professional, making one successful [[Ray Mercer vs. Tommy Morrison|title defense against]] [[Tommy Morrison]] before vacating his championship. Though he fought and lost a controversial [[Evander Holyfield vs. Ray Mercer|unanimous decision fight]] to former champion [[Evander Holyfield]], he scored a notable unanimous decision win over two-time heavyweight champion [[Tim Witherspoon]] in 1996. Throughout his entire fighting career in the 1990s, Mercer never lost a fight to the stoppage. | ||
As a kickboxer, he fought the likes of four-time K-1 Japan tournament champion [[Musashi (kickboxer)|Musashi]] in 2004 | As a kickboxer, he fought the likes of four-time K-1 Japan tournament champion [[Musashi (kickboxer)|Musashi]] in 2004. As a mixed martial artist, he scored a notable first-round [[knockout]] win over former two-time [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] heavyweight champion [[Tim Sylvia]] in 2009. | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
Mercer, | Mercer, the son of retired [[Non-commissioned officer|Army NCO]] Raymond Mercer Sr., grew up as a [[military brat (U.S. subculture)|military brat]] in [[Fort Benning, Georgia]], and later in [[Hanau, Germany|Hanau, West Germany]]. He later recalled: | ||
{{Cquote|As a kid I was a little hardheaded. I had a tough time in school until my father, Raymond, he was a mechanic in the military, got me straight. When he was in the field, whether at [[Fort Benning, Georgia]], or in Germany, I'd take advantage of my mother and act up. My father tried to get me to play some kind of sports. I was negative. Team sports wasn't in my blood. I'd come home and play [[Go-Karts]] or shoot [[BB gun]]s or ride choppers. With my father, I was fishing by the age of nine and hunting by fourteen. We'd go for deer, rabbit, and squirrel at Fort Benning. My father had a good life in the military. I figured I'd do the same. I wanted to go back to Germany. I liked it over there.|source=—Ray Mercer on his childhood.<ref name="Berger1991">{{cite news |last= Berger|first= Phil|date= October 17, 1991|title= Neither Mercer Nor Morrison Set Out to Make His Living in the Ring|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/17/sports/boxing-neither-mercer-nor-morrison-set-out-to-make-his-living-in-the-ring.html|work= The New York Times|page= 14|access-date= 2019-06-18}}</ref>}} | {{Cquote|"As a kid I was a little hardheaded. I had a tough time in school until my father, Raymond, he was a mechanic in the military, got me straight. When he was in the field, whether at [[Fort Benning, Georgia]], or in Germany, I'd take advantage of my mother and act up. My father tried to get me to play some kind of sports. I was negative. Team sports wasn't in my blood. I'd come home and play [[Go-Karts]] or shoot [[BB gun]]s or ride choppers. With my father, I was fishing by the age of nine and hunting by fourteen. We'd go for deer, rabbit, and squirrel at Fort Benning. My father had a good life in the military. I figured I'd do the same. I wanted to go back to Germany. I liked it over there." | ||
Mercer played [[linebacker]] | | source = —Ray Mercer on his childhood.<ref name="Berger1991">{{cite news |last= Berger|first= Phil|date= October 17, 1991|title= Neither Mercer Nor Morrison Set Out to Make His Living in the Ring|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/17/sports/boxing-neither-mercer-nor-morrison-set-out-to-make-his-living-in-the-ring.html|work= The New York Times|page= 14|access-date= 2019-06-18}}</ref> | ||
}} | |||
Mercer played [[linebacker]] in high school in [[Hanau]] and did not plan to pursue a college education. After graduating from [[Richmond County Military Academy]] in [[Augusta, Georgia]], he coasted for a year before enlisting in the Army.<ref name="Berger1991" /> | |||
===Street Fighting Background and Jiu-Jitsu Cross-Training=== | |||
Mercer's foundation in combat was forged not only in the boxing ring but also through real-life street fights, which he credited for developing his resilience and mental toughness. He often emphasized that the unpredictability and raw nature of street brawls taught lessons that couldn’t be learned in a traditional boxing gym. | |||
Ahead of his transition into [[mixed martial arts]], particularly for his bout against [[Kimbo Slice]], Mercer trained in [[Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]] to expand his skill set beyond striking. This cross-training effort reflected his belief in blending technical proficiency with street-hardened instincts, setting him apart as a fighter who bridged the gap between structured combat sports and the unpredictability of real-world fighting. | |||
==Military service== | ==Military service== | ||
Mercer served with the [[USAREUR]], [[V Corps (United States)|V Corps]], [[Infantry Branch (United States)| | Mercer served with the [[USAREUR]], [[V Corps (United States)|V Corps]], [[Infantry Branch (United States)|Infantry Branch]]. He was stationed with Company D, 1st Battalion, [[39th Infantry Regiment (United States)|39th Infantry]], in [[Baumholder]], [[West Germany]].<ref name="Rogers">{{cite journal |last1= Rogers|first1= David R.|last2= Dove|first2= Billy|date= September 1988|title= Soldiers Vie For Olympics|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112042557675&view=1up&seq=528|journal= Soldiers|volume= 43|issue= 9|page= 46|issn= 0093-8440|access-date= 2019-06-18}}</ref> His last military rank was [[sergeant (United States)|sergeant]].<ref>{{cite journal |date= November 1988|title= Army Olympic Update|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yjhEAQAAIAAJ&pg=RA8-PA71|journal= Army|volume= 38|issue= 11|page= 71|issn= 0004-2455|access-date= 2019-06-18}}</ref> | ||
==Amateur boxing career== | ==Amateur boxing career== | ||
Mercer started boxing at the age of 23 while serving in the U.S. Army in West Germany. Mercer said he had never even put on a pair of gloves until after he enlisted, "The Army taught me everything I know about boxing," explained Mercer. He first boxed in organized competition in 1983 at [[Schweinfurt, Germany|Schweinfurt, West Germany]]. He first won the brigade title after winning the battalion box-off. After that, Mercer claimed, "I won the VII Corps novice and open championships and finished second at U.S. Army, Europe.<ref name="Schad1989">{{cite journal |last= Schad|first= Dave|date= January 1989|title= Three Gold Medals|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112098031427&view=1up&seq=21|journal= Soldiers|volume= 44|issue= 1|page= 17|issn= 0093-8440|access-date= 2019-06-18}}</ref> While he had [[street fighting|street fights]] as a youth, it wasn't until he was offered a chance to avoid a 30-day field exercise in the winter of 1984 by serving as a [[sparring partner]] for the post's heavyweight champion that he found a sanctioned way to use his aggression. The beginnings were tough. "I came back from that first day of sparring with a bleeding nose and my lips swollen. For two months I got pounded. But then it became a challenge. I'm not a quitter. I figured the other guy learned the moves, so could I." He learned quickly enough, winning military titles and a [[United States Amateur Boxing Federation]] title.<ref name="Berger1991" /> He became 1985 U.S. Army and inter-service heavyweight champion, along with [[Wesley Watson]], who was inter-service superheavyweight champion<ref>{{cite journal |last= Garrett|first= George|date= March 1986|title= Army Boxers Win National Title|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015081927884&view=1up&seq=173|journal= Soldiers|volume= 41|issue= 3|page= 51|issn= 0093-8440|access-date= 2019-06-18}}</ref> (Mercer later beat Watson as a professional). But in 1985, when Army Coach Hank Johnson sought to recruit Mercer for a stateside training camp for the 1988 Olympics, Mercer turned down the offer. "I was in my prime at partying. The training was not a sacrifice I wanted to make. I told Hank, you won't see me until the Olympics", he said.<ref name="Berger1991" /> | Mercer started boxing at the age of 23 while serving in the U.S. Army in West Germany. Mercer said he had never even put on a pair of gloves until after he enlisted, "The Army taught me everything I know about boxing," explained Mercer. He first boxed in an organized competition in 1983 at [[Schweinfurt, Germany|Schweinfurt, West Germany]]. He first won the brigade title after winning the battalion box-off. After that, Mercer claimed, "I won the VII Corps novice and open championships and finished second at U.S. Army, Europe."<ref name="Schad1989">{{cite journal |last= Schad|first= Dave|date= January 1989|title= Three Gold Medals|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112098031427&view=1up&seq=21|journal= Soldiers|volume= 44|issue= 1|page= 17|issn= 0093-8440|access-date= 2019-06-18}}</ref> While he had [[street fighting|street fights]] as a youth, it wasn't until he was offered a chance to avoid a 30-day field exercise in the winter of 1984 by serving as a [[sparring partner]] for the post's heavyweight champion that he found a sanctioned way to use his aggression. The beginnings were tough. "I came back from that first day of sparring with a bleeding nose and my lips swollen. For two months I got pounded. But then it became a challenge. I'm not a quitter. I figured the other guy learned the moves, so could I." He learned quickly enough, winning military titles and a [[United States Amateur Boxing Federation]] title.<ref name="Berger1991" /> He became the 1985 U.S. Army and inter-service heavyweight champion, along with [[Wesley Watson]], who was the inter-service superheavyweight champion<ref>{{cite journal |last= Garrett|first= George|date= March 1986|title= Army Boxers Win National Title|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015081927884&view=1up&seq=173|journal= Soldiers|volume= 41|issue= 3|page= 51|issn= 0093-8440|access-date= 2019-06-18}}</ref> (Mercer later beat Watson as a professional). But in 1985, when Army Coach Hank Johnson sought to recruit Mercer for a stateside training camp for the 1988 Olympics, Mercer turned down the offer. "I was in my prime at partying. The training was not a sacrifice I wanted to make. I told Hank, you won't see me until the Olympics", he said.<ref name="Berger1991" /> When he was reassigned to Baumholder, he won three USAREUR crowns while carrying the banner for V Corps<ref name="Rogers" /> (he won the USAREUR Championship less than a year after his first amateur fight.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Garcia|first= Elroy|date= June 1993|title= All-Army Athletes|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112005545378&view=1up&seq=339|journal= Soldiers|volume= 44|issue= 6|pages= 37–38|issn= 0093-8440|access-date= 2019-07-04}}</ref>) As he served with USAREUR, for that reason in 1986—1987 Mercer had several international bouts in Germany, he also competed internationally at Western Europe [[open tournament]]s.<ref name="Rogers" /> In the summer of 1988, he won the inter-service heavyweight championship again.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Army News Service|date= June 1988|title= Army Takes 10 Titles|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112042557675&view=1up&seq=357|journal= Soldiers|volume= 43|issue= 6|page= 55|issn= 0093-8440|access-date= 2019-06-18}}</ref> His next step was to apply for the all-Army boxing trial camp and win a spot on the Army team.<ref name="Schad1989" /> "Right now, I want to be the 'woodwork' man. I'm 26 years old and relatively unknown. My plans are to stay healthy, and I need to do well in international competition prior to the Olympics to build confidence."<ref name="Rogers" /> | ||
He won the 1988 [[United States national amateur boxing heavyweight champions|United States amateur heavyweight championship]].<ref name="LATimes">{{cite web | He won the 1988 [[United States national amateur boxing heavyweight champions|United States amateur heavyweight championship]].<ref name="LATimes">{{cite web | ||
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===1988 Olympics=== | ===1988 Olympics=== | ||
Going to the Olympic Team, he was one of the most highly regarded American Olympic boxers.<ref>{{cite news |last= Anderson|first= Dave|author-link= Dave Anderson (sportswriter)|date= September 17, 1988|title= Coach Calls U.S. a Contender|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/17/sports/the-seoul-olympics-boxing-coach-calls-us-a-contender.html|work= The New York Times|page= 48|access-date= 2019-06-17}}</ref> Of all the U.S. 1988 Olympians, [[Angelo Dundee]], a legendary trainer, chose Ray Mercer and [[Andrew Maynard (boxer)|Andrew Maynard]], as the most likely to develop into world champions after | Going to the Olympic Team, he was one of the most highly regarded American Olympic boxers.<ref>{{cite news |last= Anderson|first= Dave|author-link= Dave Anderson (sportswriter)|date= September 17, 1988|title= Coach Calls U.S. a Contender|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/17/sports/the-seoul-olympics-boxing-coach-calls-us-a-contender.html|work= The New York Times|page= 48|access-date= 2019-06-17}}</ref> Of all the U.S. 1988 Olympians, [[Angelo Dundee]], a legendary trainer, chose Ray Mercer and [[Andrew Maynard (boxer)|Andrew Maynard]], as the most likely to develop into world champions after becoming professionals: "Mercer's 27, but that's not too old. The maturity is there. And the punch. Give him 10 fights as a pro and he'd be ready to start moving up," Dundee said on Mercer's potential as a pro.<ref>{{cite news |last= Anderson|first= Dave|author-link= Dave Anderson (sportswriter)|date= October 2, 1988|title= Green to Gold, Now Green Again|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/02/sports/sports-of-the-times-green-to-gold-now-green-again.html|work= The New York Times|page= 2|access-date= 2019-06-17}}</ref> According to Kelvin Richardson of the '88 All-Army Team, Mercer was such a hard puncher, that even 16-ounce gloves weren't of much help for his sparring partners from being knocked off the ring, and his super heavyweight Olympic teammate, [[Riddick Bowe]], didn't want to spar with Mercer for that reason.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwXaTIbDRMM RAY MERCER and RIDDICK BOWE HAD VIOLENT SPARRING SESSIONS- KELVIN “BIG DAWG” RICHARDSON]</ref> | ||
Before one of Maynard's fights, Mercer and [[Anthony Hembrick]] took off with their flags and good-naturedly dodged the people who tried to get in their way. A few tried to trip the pair, another tried to tackle the heavyweight Mercer, and one security guard even stopped him and tried to steer him back to his seat. Mercer would have none of it. "He didn't speak English, and I don't speak Korean, so he talked his stuff and I talked mine. I didn't think we connected, so I just kept on going." said Mercer. Soldiers from his unit back in Germany were rooting for him. Right before the Olympics they made a large banner with everyone's signature on it and shipped it overnight to Seoul. "They've been a big part of my support, and a gold medal would mean almost as much to them as it would to me. That banner really picked me up. I'm fighting for the people of the United States, but especially for the ones back in my unit," he told his audience during one of his post-fight interviews.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Schad|first= Dave|date= January 1989|title= Seoul Olympics: The Army Story|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112098031427&view=1up&seq=17|journal= Soldiers|volume= 44|issue= 1|pages= 17–19|issn= 0093-8440|access-date= 2019-06-18}}</ref> | Before one of Maynard's fights, Mercer and [[Anthony Hembrick]] took off with their flags and good-naturedly dodged the people who tried to get in their way. A few tried to trip the pair, another tried to tackle the heavyweight Mercer, and one security guard even stopped him and tried to steer him back to his seat. Mercer would have none of it. "He didn't speak English, and I don't speak Korean, so he talked his stuff and I talked mine. I didn't think we connected, so I just kept on going." said Mercer. Soldiers from his unit back in Germany were rooting for him. Right before the Olympics they made a large banner with everyone's signature on it and shipped it overnight to Seoul. "They've been a big part of my support, and a gold medal would mean almost as much to them as it would to me. That banner really picked me up. I'm fighting for the people of the United States, but especially for the ones back in my unit," he told his audience during one of his post-fight interviews.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Schad|first= Dave|date= January 1989|title= Seoul Olympics: The Army Story|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112098031427&view=1up&seq=17|journal= Soldiers|volume= 44|issue= 1|pages= 17–19|issn= 0093-8440|access-date= 2019-06-18}}</ref> | ||
Mercer knocked out all four of his Olympic opponents, winning Gold at the [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988 Olympics]] in [[Seoul]] as a heavyweight. When asked if he thought he needed to stop the South Korean | Mercer knocked out all four of his Olympic opponents, winning Gold at the [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988 Olympics]] in [[Seoul]] as a heavyweight. When asked if he thought he needed to stop the South Korean to win the gold medal, he replied: "Definitely. Or I'll make him wish he was knocked out. One of the two."<ref>{{cite news |last= Anderson|first= Dave|author-link= Dave Anderson (sportswriter)|date= September 29, 1988|title= 3 Americans Reach Finals|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/29/sports/the-seoul-olympics-boxing-3-americans-reach-finals.html|work= The New York Times|page= 18|access-date= 2019-06-17}}</ref> He was the oldest member of the United States Olympic Boxing Team at 27.<ref>{{cite news |last= Anderson|first= Dave|author-link= Dave Anderson (sportswriter)|date= October 1, 1988|title= Mercer Stops South Korean|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/01/sports/the-seoul-olympics-boxing-mercer-stops-south-korean.html|work= The New York Times|page= 47|access-date= 2019-06-17}}</ref> | ||
===Highlights=== | ===Highlights=== | ||
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*Finals: Defeated [[Baik Hyun-Man]] (South Korea) KO 1 {{small|(2:16)}} | *Finals: Defeated [[Baik Hyun-Man]] (South Korea) KO 1 {{small|(2:16)}} | ||
{{Col-end}} | {{Col-end}} | ||
Mercer had a total of 70 fights as an amateur, competing all his amateur career in the 201-pound class, and compiling an amateur record of 64 wins, 6 losses (no stoppages.) Upon winning the Olympic Gold Medal, Mercer was approached by boxing promoter [[Bob Arum]], with whom he signed a contract to turn professional. Under the deal, he was to be trained in Las Vegas, Nevada, under Hank Johnson of Fort Bragg, who was the All-Army Coach, and the assistant Olympic coach. Also under the deal, Arum got the rights to promote a certain number of televised bouts, leaving the boxer free to fight for others.<ref>{{cite news |last= AP|date= October 16, 1988|title= Theories on Boxing|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/16/sports/sports-people-theories-on-boxing.html|work= The New York Times|page= 10|access-date= 2019-06-17}}</ref> | Mercer had a total of 70 fights as an amateur, competing all his amateur career in the 201-pound class, and compiling an amateur record of 64 wins, and 6 losses (no stoppages.) Upon winning the Olympic Gold Medal, Mercer was approached by boxing promoter [[Bob Arum]], with whom he signed a contract to turn professional. Under the deal, he was to be trained in Las Vegas, Nevada, under Hank Johnson of Fort Bragg, who was the All-Army Coach, and the assistant Olympic coach. Also under the deal, Arum got the rights to promote a certain number of televised bouts, leaving the boxer free to fight for others.<ref>{{cite news |last= AP|date= October 16, 1988|title= Theories on Boxing|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/16/sports/sports-people-theories-on-boxing.html|work= The New York Times|page= 10|access-date= 2019-06-17}}</ref> | ||
Upon winning the 1988 Olympics, he was named [[United States Armed Forces Athlete of the Year]] in November 1988 | Upon winning the 1988 Olympics, he was named the [[United States Armed Forces Athlete of the Year]] in November 1988. In January 1989, being [[honorably discharge]]d, Mercer left the Army to pursue a professional boxing career.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Armed Forces Sports Office|date= February 1989|title= Ray Mercer Named Athlete of Year|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112098031427&view=1up&seq=67|journal= Soldiers|volume= 44|issue= 2|page= 3|issn= 0093-8440|access-date= 2019-06-18}}</ref> | ||
==Professional boxing career== | ==Professional boxing career== | ||
{{Further|Ray Mercer vs. Tommy Morrison|Ray Mercer vs. Larry Holmes|Evander Holyfield vs. Ray Mercer|Lennox Lewis vs. Ray Mercer}} | {{Further|Ray Mercer vs. Tommy Morrison|Ray Mercer vs. Larry Holmes|Evander Holyfield vs. Ray Mercer|Lennox Lewis vs. Ray Mercer}} | ||
Mercer turned pro in January 1989 and debuted with a 3rd TKO of Jesse McGhee. He scored a series of knockouts, scoring his first notable in a split decision of [[Ossie Ocasio]], former cruiserweight champion and heavyweight | Mercer turned pro in January 1989 and debuted with a 3rd TKO of Jesse McGhee. He scored a series of knockouts, scoring his first notable in a split decision of [[Ossie Ocasio]], former cruiserweight champion and heavyweight title challenger. In August 1990 he knocked down and outpointed big punching Smokin' [[Bert Cooper]] in a spectacular 12-round brawl that earned him Cooper's [[North American Boxing Federation|NABF]] title. In January 1991 he challenged undefeated [[Francesco Damiani]] for the [[WBO]] heavyweight title, scoring a one-punch knockout victory in the 9th when behind on points. At that time, the WBO championship wasn't considered a major championship; it didn't become a major belt equal to the WBA, WBC, and IBF belts until 2004. Later that year, he beat undefeated puncher [[Tommy Morrison]] in five rounds, and with a major world title fight on the horizon vacated his WBO belt and fought 42-year-old legend [[Larry Holmes]] rather than mandatory challenger [[Michael Moorer]]. It proved an unwise decision, as the crafty Holmes conned Mercer out of the fight, outjabbing the puzzled Mercer, and gaining both the points decision and Mercer's world title fight with heavyweight king [[Evander Holyfield]]. | ||
Having split fights with dangerous veteran [[Jesse Ferguson]] (Mercer was investigated for allegedly asking Ferguson to "throw the fight" during their first encounter), an overweight Mercer labored to a draw with trialhorse [[Marion Wilson (boxer)|Marion Wilson]], and saw a proposed 1994 bout in Hong Kong with [[Frank Bruno]] fall through. Mercer enjoyed an unexpected run of form in major fights, losing on points in a thrilling brawl with Holyfield in May 1995, losing a controversial decision in a wild punch up with [[Lennox Lewis]] in June 1996, and scoring a controversial points win over double ex-champ [[Tim Witherspoon]] in yet another high action bout in December 1996. In the frame for a bout with [[Andrew Golota]] in 1997, Mercer suffered a neck injury and was out of action for 14 months. He returned February 1998 with a 2-round KO of Leo Loiacono, but contracted [[Hepatitis B]] and was again inactive, this time for 20 months. | Having split fights with dangerous veteran [[Jesse Ferguson]] (Mercer was investigated for allegedly asking Ferguson to "throw the fight" during their first encounter), an overweight Mercer labored to a draw with trialhorse [[Marion Wilson (boxer)|Marion Wilson]], and saw a proposed 1994 bout in Hong Kong with [[Frank Bruno]] fall through. Mercer enjoyed an unexpected run of form in major fights, losing on points in a thrilling brawl with Holyfield in May 1995, losing a controversial decision in a wild punch up with [[Lennox Lewis]] in June 1996, and scoring a controversial points win over double ex-champ [[Tim Witherspoon]] in yet another high action bout in December 1996. In the frame for a bout with [[Andrew Golota]] in 1997, Mercer suffered a neck injury and was out of action for 14 months. He returned in February 1998 with a 2-round KO of Leo Loiacono, but contracted [[Hepatitis B]] and was again inactive, this time for 20 months. | ||
===Comeback=== | ===Comeback=== | ||
In February 2001 a 39-year-old Mercer launched a final comeback, knocking out four journeymen before being matched with WBO title holder [[Wladimir Klitschko]] in a high-profile bout on HBO. Once famed for his incredible [[Chin (combat sports)|iron chin]], Mercer looked his age and was knocked down in the first and stopped in the sixth round for the first time in his career. A brief dalliance in mixed martial arts nixed a 2004 bout with [[DaVarryl Williamson]]. | In February 2001 a 39-year-old Mercer launched a final comeback, knocking out four journeymen before being matched with WBO title holder [[Wladimir Klitschko]] in a high-profile bout on HBO. Once famed for his incredible [[Chin (combat sports)|iron chin]], Mercer looked his age and was knocked down in the first and stopped in the sixth round for the first time in his career. A brief dalliance in mixed martial arts nixed a 2004 bout with [[DaVarryl Williamson]]. | ||
However, Mercer did return to boxing in 2005, now aged 44, but he was stopped in seven rounds by former [[Lineal championship|Lineal champion]] [[Shannon Briggs]]. The bout was a back and forth slugfest, with both men throwing various and plentiful power shots. | However, Mercer did return to boxing in 2005, now aged 44, but he was stopped in seven rounds by former [[Lineal championship|Lineal champion]] [[Shannon Briggs]]. The bout was a back-and-forth slugfest, with both men throwing various and plentiful power shots. | ||
=== Final fights === | === Final fights === | ||
After his loss to Briggs, the now aged Mercer did not compete in a boxing match until two years later in 2007, having taken time off to attempt kickboxing and MMA as side careers. | After his loss to Briggs, the now-aged Mercer did not compete in a boxing match until two years later in 2007, having taken time off to attempt kickboxing and MMA as side careers. | ||
He returned, scoring a first round KO over the Journeyman Mikael Lindblad. After a unanimous decision loss to a journeyman [[Derric Rossy]], 19 years Mercer's junior, in 2008 he boxed for the final time at the age of 47, against one-time fringe WBF title holder, Dutch boxer [[Richel Hersisia]] in Sweden, winning a six round majority decision. | He returned, scoring a first-round KO over the Journeyman Mikael Lindblad. After a unanimous decision loss to a journeyman [[Derric Rossy]], 19 years Mercer's junior, in 2008 he boxed for the final time at the age of 47, against one-time fringe WBF title holder, Dutch boxer [[Richel Hersisia]] in Sweden, winning a six-round majority decision. | ||
He retired in 2008 a one-time major title holder with | He retired in 2008 as a one-time major title holder with a record of 36-7-1 (26 KOs).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-12 |title=Ray Mercer: Record & Stats |url=https://www.martialbot.com/boxing/r/ray-mercer.html |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=www.martialbot.com |language=en}}</ref> | ||
==Kickboxing career== | ==Kickboxing career== | ||
Continuing to seek a fighting career, Mercer opted to travel to Japan. Taking a brief year of hiatus from boxing, he challenged [[Musashi (kickboxer)|Musashi]] in the kickboxing combat sport [[K-1]] on June 6, 2004. Mercer held a reasonable account of himself, but his age and inability to successfully defend kicks | Continuing to seek a fighting career, Mercer opted to travel to Japan. Taking a brief year of hiatus from boxing, he challenged [[Musashi (kickboxer)|Musashi]] in the kickboxing combat sport [[K-1]] on June 6, 2004. Mercer held a reasonable account of himself, but his age and inability to successfully defend kicks were evident. He threw powerful punches and trapped his opponent in the corner more than once, and managed to adapt as more kicks were thrown, even knocking Musashi down in round two, but he was taking on more accumulated damage that slowed him down, as he went on to lose the bout via unanimous decision. By round three, he was being ripped into by his opponent and was hardly keeping up. | ||
On March 19, 2005, he had one more [[K-1]] bout against [[Remy Bonjasky]], to whom he lost via verbal submission. Mercer came out with a failed double jab towards Bonjasky's shoulder and head | On March 19, 2005, he had one more [[K-1]] bout against [[Remy Bonjasky]], to whom he lost via verbal submission. Mercer came out with a failed double jab towards Bonjasky's shoulder and head but missed, and attempted to throw a right. The first and only strike of the night, a head kick, that connected from them landed square on the head of Mercer, though he attempted to block, and he was shaken by the powerful blow. He voiced his surrender and the bout was stopped at twenty-two seconds and Bonjasky was awarded the TKO victory. | ||
Though he was offered additional opportunities to have a further K-1 career, after the Bonjasky bout in 2005, Mercer, aged but undeterred, returned to boxing and refused another kickboxing fight. | Though he was offered additional opportunities to have a further K-1 career, after the Bonjasky bout in 2005, Mercer, aged but undeterred, returned to boxing and refused another kickboxing fight. | ||
==Mixed martial arts career== | ==Mixed martial arts career== | ||
Mercer had planned to attempt a dabble in mixed martial arts as early as 2003; he was scheduled to [[Kazuyuki Fujita]], who was 9-4 in the sport, in Kobe, Japan as the main event of the [[:ja:INOKI_BOM-BA-YE_2003|Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye]]. The fight was to be in a MMA ring. However the bout was cancelled after Mercer missed his flight to the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ray Mercer vs. Kazuyuki Fujita, Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/686581-inoki-bom-ba-ye-2003-ray-merciless-mercer-vs-kazuyuki-ol-ironhead-fujita |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> | Mercer had planned to attempt a dabble in mixed martial arts as early as 2003; he was scheduled to [[Kazuyuki Fujita]], who was 9-4 in the sport, in Kobe, Japan as the main event of the [[:ja:INOKI_BOM-BA-YE_2003|Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye]]. The fight was to be in a MMA ring. However, the bout was cancelled after Mercer missed his flight to the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ray Mercer vs. Kazuyuki Fujita, Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/686581-inoki-bom-ba-ye-2003-ray-merciless-mercer-vs-kazuyuki-ol-ironhead-fujita |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> | ||
After a series of scheduled boxing matchups fell through (including a proposed bout against former champion [[Hasim Rahman]]), Mercer decided to try [[Mixed Martial Arts|mixed martial arts (MMA)]] and approached Felix Martinez, co-founder of [[Cage Fury Fighting Championships]], about working with the promotion. On March 21, 2007, Cage Fury announced that Mercer had signed to face underground street fighter and Internet legend [[Kimbo Slice]] at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall on June 23, 2007, as part of ''[[Cage Fury Fighting Championship 5]]''. The bout was a non-sanctioned exhibition under the New Jersey Unified MMA rules,<ref name="mmaw">{{cite web | After a series of scheduled boxing matchups fell through (including a proposed bout against former champion [[Hasim Rahman]]), Mercer decided to try [[Mixed Martial Arts|mixed martial arts (MMA)]] and approached Felix Martinez, co-founder of [[Cage Fury Fighting Championships]], about working with the promotion. On March 21, 2007, Cage Fury announced that Mercer had signed to face underground street fighter and Internet legend [[Kimbo Slice]] at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall on June 23, 2007, as part of ''[[Cage Fury Fighting Championship 5]]''. The bout was a non-sanctioned exhibition under the New Jersey Unified MMA rules,<ref name="mmaw">{{cite web | ||
| Line 161: | Line 173: | ||
}}</ref> with both men making their professional MMA debut respectively. | }}</ref> with both men making their professional MMA debut respectively. | ||
Slice won the fight in the first round with a [[guillotine choke]] submission. Mercer later stated in the press conference at Adrenaline III: Bragging Rights, that he had expected Kimbo Slice to box with him, and said that he did not | Slice won the fight in the first round with a [[guillotine choke]] submission. Mercer later stated in the press conference at Adrenaline III: Bragging Rights, that he had expected Kimbo Slice to box with him, and said that he did not train in any other aspect of [[Mixed martial arts|MMA]] and was unprepared for the [[guillotine choke]]. | ||
Though he originally planned to give up on MMA, circumstances pushed Mercer into a comeback; On June 13, 2009, he made a big splash when he defeated former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia at Adrenaline III: Bragging Rights. He won the fight via knockout in 9 seconds with a huge right hand to the chin, becoming the first man to ever defeat Sylvia by knockout. Sylvia threw a kick, for the opponents agreed to keep the fight standing, but Mercer was visibly agitated as he threw a light jab. He delivered his overhand right to Sylvia, stunning him, and threw a second right hand on the ground. | Though he originally planned to give up on MMA, circumstances pushed Mercer into a comeback; On June 13, 2009, he made a big splash when he defeated former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia at Adrenaline III: Bragging Rights. He won the fight via knockout in 9 seconds with a huge right hand to the chin, becoming the first man to ever defeat Sylvia by knockout. Sylvia threw a kick, for the opponents agreed to keep the fight standing, but Mercer was visibly agitated as he threw a light jab. He delivered his overhand right to Sylvia, stunning him, and threw a second right hand on the ground. | ||
| Line 170: | Line 182: | ||
| date = March 12, 2010 | | date = March 12, 2010 | ||
| publisher = MMAFighting.com | | publisher = MMAFighting.com | ||
}}</ref> At 1-0, he was scheduled to face at the time undefeated MMA fighter and Kickboxer [[Ron Sparks (fighter)|Ron Sparks]], but the bout was cancelled because a longtime injury Mercer sustained 13 years earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ron Sparks vs. Ray Mercer, KOTC {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/440057-kotc-ron-the-monster-sparks-vs-ray-merciless-mercer |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-17 |title=Ray Mercer is out of his King of the Cage bout against Ron Sparks |url=https://middleeasy.com/mma-news/ray-mercer-is-out-of-his-king-of-the-cage-bout-against-ron-sparks-2/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=MiddleEasy |language=en-US}}</ref> | }}</ref> At 1-0, he was scheduled to face at the time undefeated MMA fighter and Kickboxer [[Ron Sparks (fighter)|Ron Sparks]], but the bout was cancelled because of a longtime injury Mercer sustained 13 years earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ron Sparks vs. Ray Mercer, KOTC {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/440057-kotc-ron-the-monster-sparks-vs-ray-merciless-mercer |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-17 |title=Ray Mercer is out of his King of the Cage bout against Ron Sparks |url=https://middleeasy.com/mma-news/ray-mercer-is-out-of-his-king-of-the-cage-bout-against-ron-sparks-2/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=MiddleEasy |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
==Professional boxing record== | ==Professional boxing record== | ||
Revision as of 09:12, 19 June 2025
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox martial artist
Raymond Anthony Mercer (born April 4, 1961) is a former American professional boxer, kickboxer, and mixed martial artist who competed from 1989 to 2009. Mercer won a heavyweight gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics as an amateur, and later held the WBO heavyweight title in 1991 as a professional, making one successful title defense against Tommy Morrison before vacating his championship. Though he fought and lost a controversial unanimous decision fight to former champion Evander Holyfield, he scored a notable unanimous decision win over two-time heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon in 1996. Throughout his entire fighting career in the 1990s, Mercer never lost a fight to the stoppage.
As a kickboxer, he fought the likes of four-time K-1 Japan tournament champion Musashi in 2004. As a mixed martial artist, he scored a notable first-round knockout win over former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia in 2009.
Early life
Mercer, the son of retired Army NCO Raymond Mercer Sr., grew up as a military brat in Fort Benning, Georgia, and later in Hanau, West Germany. He later recalled: Template:Main other
Mercer played linebacker in high school in Hanau and did not plan to pursue a college education. After graduating from Richmond County Military Academy in Augusta, Georgia, he coasted for a year before enlisting in the Army.[1]
Street Fighting Background and Jiu-Jitsu Cross-Training
Mercer's foundation in combat was forged not only in the boxing ring but also through real-life street fights, which he credited for developing his resilience and mental toughness. He often emphasized that the unpredictability and raw nature of street brawls taught lessons that couldn’t be learned in a traditional boxing gym.
Ahead of his transition into mixed martial arts, particularly for his bout against Kimbo Slice, Mercer trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to expand his skill set beyond striking. This cross-training effort reflected his belief in blending technical proficiency with street-hardened instincts, setting him apart as a fighter who bridged the gap between structured combat sports and the unpredictability of real-world fighting.
Military service
Mercer served with the USAREUR, V Corps, Infantry Branch. He was stationed with Company D, 1st Battalion, 39th Infantry, in Baumholder, West Germany.[2] His last military rank was sergeant.[3]
Amateur boxing career
Mercer started boxing at the age of 23 while serving in the U.S. Army in West Germany. Mercer said he had never even put on a pair of gloves until after he enlisted, "The Army taught me everything I know about boxing," explained Mercer. He first boxed in an organized competition in 1983 at Schweinfurt, West Germany. He first won the brigade title after winning the battalion box-off. After that, Mercer claimed, "I won the VII Corps novice and open championships and finished second at U.S. Army, Europe."[4] While he had street fights as a youth, it wasn't until he was offered a chance to avoid a 30-day field exercise in the winter of 1984 by serving as a sparring partner for the post's heavyweight champion that he found a sanctioned way to use his aggression. The beginnings were tough. "I came back from that first day of sparring with a bleeding nose and my lips swollen. For two months I got pounded. But then it became a challenge. I'm not a quitter. I figured the other guy learned the moves, so could I." He learned quickly enough, winning military titles and a United States Amateur Boxing Federation title.[1] He became the 1985 U.S. Army and inter-service heavyweight champion, along with Wesley Watson, who was the inter-service superheavyweight champion[5] (Mercer later beat Watson as a professional). But in 1985, when Army Coach Hank Johnson sought to recruit Mercer for a stateside training camp for the 1988 Olympics, Mercer turned down the offer. "I was in my prime at partying. The training was not a sacrifice I wanted to make. I told Hank, you won't see me until the Olympics", he said.[1] When he was reassigned to Baumholder, he won three USAREUR crowns while carrying the banner for V Corps[2] (he won the USAREUR Championship less than a year after his first amateur fight.[6]) As he served with USAREUR, for that reason in 1986—1987 Mercer had several international bouts in Germany, he also competed internationally at Western Europe open tournaments.[2] In the summer of 1988, he won the inter-service heavyweight championship again.[7] His next step was to apply for the all-Army boxing trial camp and win a spot on the Army team.[4] "Right now, I want to be the 'woodwork' man. I'm 26 years old and relatively unknown. My plans are to stay healthy, and I need to do well in international competition prior to the Olympics to build confidence."[2]
He won the 1988 United States amateur heavyweight championship.[8] At the USA vs. Cuba match-up, Mercer twice staggered Félix Savón, but was impeded from doing further damage by questionable intervention by the Cuban referee, Alfredo Toledo.[9] At the USA vs. Europe match-up, Mercer with a hard right to the nose turned it into a "No mas!" fight for Yugoslavian Željko Mavrović.[10]
1988 Olympics
Going to the Olympic Team, he was one of the most highly regarded American Olympic boxers.[11] Of all the U.S. 1988 Olympians, Angelo Dundee, a legendary trainer, chose Ray Mercer and Andrew Maynard, as the most likely to develop into world champions after becoming professionals: "Mercer's 27, but that's not too old. The maturity is there. And the punch. Give him 10 fights as a pro and he'd be ready to start moving up," Dundee said on Mercer's potential as a pro.[12] According to Kelvin Richardson of the '88 All-Army Team, Mercer was such a hard puncher, that even 16-ounce gloves weren't of much help for his sparring partners from being knocked off the ring, and his super heavyweight Olympic teammate, Riddick Bowe, didn't want to spar with Mercer for that reason.[13]
Before one of Maynard's fights, Mercer and Anthony Hembrick took off with their flags and good-naturedly dodged the people who tried to get in their way. A few tried to trip the pair, another tried to tackle the heavyweight Mercer, and one security guard even stopped him and tried to steer him back to his seat. Mercer would have none of it. "He didn't speak English, and I don't speak Korean, so he talked his stuff and I talked mine. I didn't think we connected, so I just kept on going." said Mercer. Soldiers from his unit back in Germany were rooting for him. Right before the Olympics they made a large banner with everyone's signature on it and shipped it overnight to Seoul. "They've been a big part of my support, and a gold medal would mean almost as much to them as it would to me. That banner really picked me up. I'm fighting for the people of the United States, but especially for the ones back in my unit," he told his audience during one of his post-fight interviews.[14]
Mercer knocked out all four of his Olympic opponents, winning Gold at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul as a heavyweight. When asked if he thought he needed to stop the South Korean to win the gold medal, he replied: "Definitely. Or I'll make him wish he was knocked out. One of the two."[15] He was the oldest member of the United States Olympic Boxing Team at 27.[16]
Highlights
<templatestyles src="Col-begin/styles.css"/>
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USAREUR Boxing Championships (heavyweight), Darmstadt, West Germany, May 1985:
USA–USSR Duals (heavyweight), Troy, New York, October 1985:
Template:Gold1 United States Armed Forces Championships (heavyweight), Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, November 1985:
Template:Silver2 Stockholm Box Open (heavyweight), Stockholm, Sweden, January 1986:
USA–FRG Duals (heavyweight), West Berlin, West Germany, July 1987:
USA–FRG Duals (heavyweight), Peissenberg, West Germany, July 1987:
USA–FRG & Austria Duals (heavyweight), Neuhausen, West Germany, July 1987:
Template:Silver2 Copenhagen Cup (heavyweight), Copenhagen, Denmark, December 1987:
Template:Gold1 United States Armed Forces Championships (heavyweight), Naval Air Station San Diego, San Diego, California, March 1988:
Template:Gold1 United States National Championships (heavyweight), Colorado Springs, Colorado, March–April 1988:
|
USA–Cuba Duals (heavyweight), Caesars Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, April 1988:
USA–Europe Duals (heavyweight), Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 1988:
Olympic Trials (heavyweight), Concord Pavilion, Concord, California, July 1988:
Olympic Box-offs (heavyweight), Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 1988:
USA–Canada Duals (heavyweight), Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina, August 1988:
Template:Gold1 Summer Olympics (heavyweight), Seoul, South Korea, September–October 1988:
|
Mercer had a total of 70 fights as an amateur, competing all his amateur career in the 201-pound class, and compiling an amateur record of 64 wins, and 6 losses (no stoppages.) Upon winning the Olympic Gold Medal, Mercer was approached by boxing promoter Bob Arum, with whom he signed a contract to turn professional. Under the deal, he was to be trained in Las Vegas, Nevada, under Hank Johnson of Fort Bragg, who was the All-Army Coach, and the assistant Olympic coach. Also under the deal, Arum got the rights to promote a certain number of televised bouts, leaving the boxer free to fight for others.[17]
Upon winning the 1988 Olympics, he was named the United States Armed Forces Athlete of the Year in November 1988. In January 1989, being honorably discharged, Mercer left the Army to pursue a professional boxing career.[18]
Professional boxing career
Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote". Mercer turned pro in January 1989 and debuted with a 3rd TKO of Jesse McGhee. He scored a series of knockouts, scoring his first notable in a split decision of Ossie Ocasio, former cruiserweight champion and heavyweight title challenger. In August 1990 he knocked down and outpointed big punching Smokin' Bert Cooper in a spectacular 12-round brawl that earned him Cooper's NABF title. In January 1991 he challenged undefeated Francesco Damiani for the WBO heavyweight title, scoring a one-punch knockout victory in the 9th when behind on points. At that time, the WBO championship wasn't considered a major championship; it didn't become a major belt equal to the WBA, WBC, and IBF belts until 2004. Later that year, he beat undefeated puncher Tommy Morrison in five rounds, and with a major world title fight on the horizon vacated his WBO belt and fought 42-year-old legend Larry Holmes rather than mandatory challenger Michael Moorer. It proved an unwise decision, as the crafty Holmes conned Mercer out of the fight, outjabbing the puzzled Mercer, and gaining both the points decision and Mercer's world title fight with heavyweight king Evander Holyfield.
Having split fights with dangerous veteran Jesse Ferguson (Mercer was investigated for allegedly asking Ferguson to "throw the fight" during their first encounter), an overweight Mercer labored to a draw with trialhorse Marion Wilson, and saw a proposed 1994 bout in Hong Kong with Frank Bruno fall through. Mercer enjoyed an unexpected run of form in major fights, losing on points in a thrilling brawl with Holyfield in May 1995, losing a controversial decision in a wild punch up with Lennox Lewis in June 1996, and scoring a controversial points win over double ex-champ Tim Witherspoon in yet another high action bout in December 1996. In the frame for a bout with Andrew Golota in 1997, Mercer suffered a neck injury and was out of action for 14 months. He returned in February 1998 with a 2-round KO of Leo Loiacono, but contracted Hepatitis B and was again inactive, this time for 20 months.
Comeback
In February 2001 a 39-year-old Mercer launched a final comeback, knocking out four journeymen before being matched with WBO title holder Wladimir Klitschko in a high-profile bout on HBO. Once famed for his incredible iron chin, Mercer looked his age and was knocked down in the first and stopped in the sixth round for the first time in his career. A brief dalliance in mixed martial arts nixed a 2004 bout with DaVarryl Williamson.
However, Mercer did return to boxing in 2005, now aged 44, but he was stopped in seven rounds by former Lineal champion Shannon Briggs. The bout was a back-and-forth slugfest, with both men throwing various and plentiful power shots.
Final fights
After his loss to Briggs, the now-aged Mercer did not compete in a boxing match until two years later in 2007, having taken time off to attempt kickboxing and MMA as side careers.
He returned, scoring a first-round KO over the Journeyman Mikael Lindblad. After a unanimous decision loss to a journeyman Derric Rossy, 19 years Mercer's junior, in 2008 he boxed for the final time at the age of 47, against one-time fringe WBF title holder, Dutch boxer Richel Hersisia in Sweden, winning a six-round majority decision.
He retired in 2008 as a one-time major title holder with a record of 36-7-1 (26 KOs).[19]
Kickboxing career
Continuing to seek a fighting career, Mercer opted to travel to Japan. Taking a brief year of hiatus from boxing, he challenged Musashi in the kickboxing combat sport K-1 on June 6, 2004. Mercer held a reasonable account of himself, but his age and inability to successfully defend kicks were evident. He threw powerful punches and trapped his opponent in the corner more than once, and managed to adapt as more kicks were thrown, even knocking Musashi down in round two, but he was taking on more accumulated damage that slowed him down, as he went on to lose the bout via unanimous decision. By round three, he was being ripped into by his opponent and was hardly keeping up.
On March 19, 2005, he had one more K-1 bout against Remy Bonjasky, to whom he lost via verbal submission. Mercer came out with a failed double jab towards Bonjasky's shoulder and head but missed, and attempted to throw a right. The first and only strike of the night, a head kick, that connected from them landed square on the head of Mercer, though he attempted to block, and he was shaken by the powerful blow. He voiced his surrender and the bout was stopped at twenty-two seconds and Bonjasky was awarded the TKO victory.
Though he was offered additional opportunities to have a further K-1 career, after the Bonjasky bout in 2005, Mercer, aged but undeterred, returned to boxing and refused another kickboxing fight.
Mixed martial arts career
Mercer had planned to attempt a dabble in mixed martial arts as early as 2003; he was scheduled to Kazuyuki Fujita, who was 9-4 in the sport, in Kobe, Japan as the main event of the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye. The fight was to be in a MMA ring. However, the bout was cancelled after Mercer missed his flight to the country.[20]
After a series of scheduled boxing matchups fell through (including a proposed bout against former champion Hasim Rahman), Mercer decided to try mixed martial arts (MMA) and approached Felix Martinez, co-founder of Cage Fury Fighting Championships, about working with the promotion. On March 21, 2007, Cage Fury announced that Mercer had signed to face underground street fighter and Internet legend Kimbo Slice at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall on June 23, 2007, as part of Cage Fury Fighting Championship 5. The bout was a non-sanctioned exhibition under the New Jersey Unified MMA rules,[21] with both men making their professional MMA debut respectively.
Slice won the fight in the first round with a guillotine choke submission. Mercer later stated in the press conference at Adrenaline III: Bragging Rights, that he had expected Kimbo Slice to box with him, and said that he did not train in any other aspect of MMA and was unprepared for the guillotine choke.
Though he originally planned to give up on MMA, circumstances pushed Mercer into a comeback; On June 13, 2009, he made a big splash when he defeated former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia at Adrenaline III: Bragging Rights. He won the fight via knockout in 9 seconds with a huge right hand to the chin, becoming the first man to ever defeat Sylvia by knockout. Sylvia threw a kick, for the opponents agreed to keep the fight standing, but Mercer was visibly agitated as he threw a light jab. He delivered his overhand right to Sylvia, stunning him, and threw a second right hand on the ground.
In March 2010, it was announced that Mercer had signed with the King of the Cage organization, although no bouts would materialize.[22] At 1-0, he was scheduled to face at the time undefeated MMA fighter and Kickboxer Ron Sparks, but the bout was cancelled because of a longtime injury Mercer sustained 13 years earlier.[23][24]
Professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | Win | 36–7–1 | Richel Hersisia | MD | 6 | Sep 5, 2008 | Nöjesfabriken, Karlstad, SwedenScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 43 | Loss | 35–7–1 | Derric Rossy | UD | 12 | Jan 26, 2008 | Venetian Arena, Macau, SARScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For vacant WBC–ABCO, WBF International, and WBO–NABO interim heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 42 | Win | 35–6–1 | Mikael Lindblad | KO | 1, 1:50Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Sep 15, 2007 | Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad, SwedenScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 41 | Loss | 34–6–1 | Shannon Briggs | KO | 7 (10), 0:41Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Aug 26, 2005 | Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 40 | Win | 34–5–1 | Darroll Wilson | UD | 10 | Jun 24, 2005 | Nikki Beach Concert Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 39 | Win | 33–5–1 | Steve Pannell | TKO | 3 (10), 0:50Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Feb 28, 2004 | Seminole Casino, Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 38 | Win | 32–5–1 | Shawn Robinson | TKO | 3 (10), 1:49Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Nov 11, 2003 | Caesars, Elizabeth, Indiana, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 37 | Win | 31–5–1 | Mario Cawley | KO | 3 (10), 1:08Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Aug 23, 2003 | Seminole Casino, Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 36 | Loss | 30–5–1 | Wladimir Klitschko | TKO | 6 (12), 1:08Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jun 29, 2002 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For WBO heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 35 | Win | 30–4–1 | Troy Weida | TKO | 1 (10), 0:28Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Feb 23, 2002 | Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 34 | Win | 29–4–1 | Brian Scott | KO | 2 (10), 0:57Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Oct 13, 2001 | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, DenmarkScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 33 | Win | 28–4–1 | Don Steele | KO | 5 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Mar 17, 2001 | Silver Star Hotel & Casino, Choctaw, Mississippi, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 32 | Win | 27–4–1 | Jeff Pegues | TKO | 2 (10), 2:59Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Feb 11, 2001 | Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin, Illinois, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 31 | Win | 26–4–1 | Jimmy Haynes | KO | 1 (10), 0:43Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Dec 18, 1999 | Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 30 | Win | 25–4–1 | Leo Loiacono | KO | 2 (10), 0:46Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Feb 21, 1998 | Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 29 | Win | 24–4–1 | Tim Witherspoon | UD | 10 | Dec 14, 1996 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 28 | Loss | 23–4–1 | Lennox Lewis | MD | 10 | May 10, 1996 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 27 | Loss | 23–3–1 | Evander Holyfield | UD | 10 | May 20, 1995 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 26 | Template:DrawDraw | 23–2–1 | Marion Wilson | SD | 10 | Jul 28, 1994 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 25 | Win | 23–2 | Jesse Ferguson | SD | 10 | Nov 19, 1993 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 24 | Win | 22–2 | Mark Wills | UD | 10 | Oct 6, 1993 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 23 | Win | 21–2 | Tony Willis | TKO | 1 (10), 2:11Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Aug 12, 1993 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 22 | Loss | 20–2 | Jesse Ferguson | UD | 10 | Feb 6, 1993 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 21 | Win | 20–1 | Jerry Halstead | RTD | 2 (12), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Dec 10, 1992 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 20 | Win | 19–1 | Mike Dixon | RTD | 7 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Oct 7, 1992 | County Center, Augusta, Georgia, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 19 | Loss | 18–1 | Larry Holmes | UD | 12 | Feb 7, 1992 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Tommy Morrison | TKO | 5 (12), 0:28Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Oct 18, 1991 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBO heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Francesco Damiani | KO | 9 (12), 2:47Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jan 11, 1991 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won WBO heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Bert Cooper | UD | 12 | Aug 5, 1990 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won NABF heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Lionel Washington | TKO | 4 (10), 1:59Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | May 31, 1990 | Community War Memorial, Rochester, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Kimmuel Odum | UD | 12 | Mar 2, 1990 | Hacienda, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Wesley Watson | TKO | 5 (10), 0:44Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jan 15, 1990 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Ossie Ocasio | SD | 8 | Dec 7, 1989 | The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Jerry Jones | UD | 8 | Nov 14, 1989 | South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Eddie Richardson | TKO | 1 (8), 2:16Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Oct 17, 1989 | State Fairgrounds, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Arthel Lawhorne | TKO | 2 (10), 1:05Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Sep 19, 1989 | Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Dino Homsey | TKO | 1 (8), 1:58Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Sep 5, 1989 | Harrah's Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Tracy Thomas | KO | 1 (6), 2:09Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Aug 15, 1989 | South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Al Evans | TKO | 1 (6), 2:55Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jul 15, 1989 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Ken Crosby | KO | 1 (6), 2:45Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Jun 12, 1989 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | David Hopkins | KO | 1 (4), 1:07Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | May 16, 1989 | Tyndall Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Garing Lane | UD | 4 | Mar 28, 1989 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Luis Walford | KO | 1 (4) | Mar 4, 1989 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Jesse McGhee | TKO | 3 (4), 0:30Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Feb 24, 1989 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
Kickboxing record
| Date | Result | Record | Opponent | Event | Method | Round | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 15, 2005 | Loss | 0–2 | Template:Flagicon Remy Bonjasky | K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Seoul | TKO (Right High Kick) | 1 | 0:22 | Template:Flagicon Seoul, South Korea |
| June 6, 2004 | Loss | 0–1 | Template:Flagicon Musashi | K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Nagoya | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | Template:Flagicon Nagoya, Japan |
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record
Template:MMA record start |- | style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | align=center | 1–0 | Tim Sylvia | KO (punch) | Adrenaline MMA 3: Bragging Rights | Template:Dts | align=center | 1 | align=center | 0:09 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States |Super Heavyweight debut.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
|}Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Exhibition record
Template:MMArecordbox Template:MMA record start |- | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | align=center | 0–1 | Kimbo Slice | Submission (guillotine choke) | Cage Fury Fighting Championship 5 | Template:Dts | align=center | 1 | align=center | 1:12 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|}Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
References
External links
Template:S-sportsTemplate:S-textTemplate:S-before- ↑ a b c Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedBerger1991 - ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
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- ↑ RAY MERCER and RIDDICK BOWE HAD VIOLENT SPARRING SESSIONS- KELVIN “BIG DAWG” RICHARDSON
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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