Ray Mercer
| Ray Mercer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Raymond Anthony Mercer April 4, 1961 Jacksonville, Florida, U,S. |
| Other names | Merciless |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 255 lb (116 kg; 18.2 st) |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Reach | 77 in |
| Style | Boxer-puncher |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Years active | 1989–2008 |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 44 |
| Wins | 36 |
| By knockout | 26 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 2 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 2 |
| Wins | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Amateur career | |
| Total | 1 |
| Losses | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Olympic medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's Boxing | ||
Representing  United States |
||
| Olympic Games | ||
 |
1988 Seoul | Heavyweight |
Ray Mercer (born April 4, 1961) is an American former professional boxer who held the WBO heavyweight title. He boxed from 1989 to 2008, defeating four boxing world champions in Ossie Ocasio, Francesco Damiani, Tommy Morrison and Tim Witherspoon. Mercer also competed in several kickboxing and mixed martial arts bouts from 2004 to 2009, most notably scoring an upset one-punch knockout victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia in 2009.
Contents
Boxing career
Amateur
Mercer was the 1988 United States Amateur Champion at Heavyweight while in the US Army[1] and compiled an Amateur record of 64-6. He won Gold in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul as a heavyweight.
Olympic results
- 1st round bye
- Defeated Rudolf Gavenčiak (Czechoslovakia) RSC 3
- Defeated Luigi Gaudiano (Italy) KO 1
- Defeated Arnold Vanderlyde (Netherlands) RSC 2
- Defeated Baik Hyun-Man (South Korea) KO 1
Professional
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Mercer turned pro in 1989 with a 3rd TKO of Jesse Hughes. He scored a series of knockouts and in August 1990 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. Later that year he brutally demolished undefeated puncher Tommy Morrison in five, 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 youngster 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), labored when overweight to a draw with trialhorse Marion Wilson, and seen 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 another wild punch up, this time with Lennox Lewis, in June 1996, and scoring a controversial points win over 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 kayo 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 6th. A brief dalliance in the mixed martial arts nixed a 2004 bout with DaVarryl Williamson, however he did return to boxing in 2005, now aged 44, but was stopped in seven by Shannon Briggs.
Kickboxing career
Continuing to seek a fighting career, Mercer opted to travel to Japan and 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 was evident as he went on to lose the bout via unanimous decision. On March 19, 2005, he had one more K-1 bout against Remy Bonjasky, to whom he lost via verbal submission, the first and only strike of the night, a head kick, would land on the square on the head of Mercer. It wasn't your typical fight; Mercer took one head kick and then quit in what was one of the most bizarre fights of all time as the kick didn't even seem to hurt him. As Mercer put it, "I got the shit kicked out of me". [1]
Mixed martial arts career
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.[2]
Kimbo 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 when he was scheduled to fight Tim Sylvia under MMA rules instead of Boxing rules that he had expected Kimbo Slice to box with him and said that he did not really train in any other aspect of MMA and was unprepared for the guillotine choke.
On June 13, 2009, Mercer 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.
In March 2010, it was announced that Mercer had signed with the King of the Cage organization.[3]
Professional boxing record
| 36 Wins (26 knockouts, 10 decisions), 7 Losses (2 knockouts, 5 decisions), 1 Draw [2] | |||||||
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| Win | 36-7-1 |  Richel Hersisia |
MD | 6 | 05/09/2008 |  Nojesfabriken, Karlstad, Sweden, Sweden |
|
| Loss | 35-7-1 | Derric Rossy |
UD | 12 | 26/01/2008 |  Venetian Casino & Resort, Macao S.A.R., China |
For Interim NABO & vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council heavyweight titles. |
| Win | 35-6-1 | Mikael Lindblad |
KO | 1 (?) | 15/09/2005 | Lofbergs Lila Arena, Karlstad, Sweden |
|
| Loss | 34-6-1 | Shannon Briggs |
KO | 7 (10) | 26/08/2005 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States |
|
| Win | 34-5-1 | Darroll Wilson |
UD | 10 | 24/06/2005 | Nikki Beach Concert Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 33-5-1 | Steve Pannell |
TKO | 3 (10) | 28/02/2004 | Seminole Casino, Coconut Creek, Florida, United States |
|
| Win | 32-5-1 | Shawn Robinson |
TKO | 3 (10) | 11/11/2003 | Caesars Indiana, Elizabeth, Indiana, United States |
|
| Win | 31-5-1 | Mario Cawley |
KO | 3 (10) | 23/08/2003 | Seminole Casino, Coconut Creek, Florida, United States |
|
| Loss | 30-5-1 |  Wladimir Klitschko |
TKO | 6 (12) | 29/06/2002 | Taj Majal Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
For WBO heavyweight title. |
| Win | 30-4-1 | Troy Weida |
KO | 1 (10) | 23/02/2002 | Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 29-4-1 | Brian Scott |
KO | 2 (10) | 13/10/2001 |  Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark |
|
| Win | 28-4-1 | Don Steele |
KO | 5 (10) | 17/03/2001 | Silver Star Casino, Philadelphia, Mississippi, United States |
|
| Win | 27-4-1 | Jeff Pegues |
TKO | 2 (10) | 11/02/2001 | Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin, Illinois, United States |
|
| Win | 26-4-1 | Jimmy Haynes |
KO | 1 (10) | 18/12/1999 | Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, United States |
|
| Win | 25-4-1 | Leo Loiacono |
KO | 2 (10) | 21/02/1998 | Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida, United States |
|
| Win | 24-4-1 | Tim Witherspoon |
UD | 10 | 14/12/1996 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Loss | 23-4-1 |  Lennox Lewis |
MD | 10 | 10/05/1996 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States |
|
| Loss | 23-3-1 | Evander Holyfield |
UD | 10 | 20/05/1995 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Draw | 23-2-1 | Marion Wilson |
SD | 10 | 28/07/1994 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 23–2 | Jesse Ferguson |
SD | 10 | 19/11/1993 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 22–2 | Mark Wills |
UD | 10 | 06/10/1993 | Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 21–2 | Tony Willis |
KO | 1 (10) | 12/08/1993 | Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, United States |
|
| Loss | 20–2 | Jesse Ferguson |
UD | 10 | 06/02/1993 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States |
Mercer investigated for trying to bribe Ferguson.[4] |
| Win | 20–1 | Jerry Halstead |
RTD | 2 (12) | 10/12/1992 | Taj Majal Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 19–1 | Mike Dixon |
TKO | 7 (10) | 07/10/1992 | Augusta, Georgia, United States |
|
| Loss | 18–1 | Larry Holmes |
UD | 12 | 07/02/1992 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 18–0 | Tommy Morrison |
TKO | 5 (12) | 18/10/1991 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
Retained WBO heavyweight title. |
| Win | 17–0 |  Francesco Damiani |
KO | 9 (12) | 11/01/1991 | Taj Majal Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
Won WBO heavyweight title. |
| Win | 16–0 | Bert Cooper |
UD | 12 | 05/08/1990 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
Won NABF heavyweight title. |
| Win | 15–0 | Lionel Washington |
TKO | 4 (10) | 31/05/1990 | War Memorial Auditorium, Rochester, New York, United States |
|
| Win | 14–0 | Kimmuel Odum |
UD | 12 | 02/03/1990 | Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title. |
| Win | 13–0 | Wesley Watson |
TKO | 5 (12) | 15/01/1990 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 12–0 |  Ossie Ocasio |
SD | 8 | 07/12/1989 | Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 11–0 | Jerry Jones |
UD | 8 | 14/11/1989 | South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 10–0 | Eddie Richardson |
TKO | 1 (8) | 17/10/1989 | State Fair, Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
|
| Win | 9–0 | Arthel Lawhorne |
TKO | 2 (10) | 19/09/1989 | Veteran's Coliseum, Jacksonville, Florida, United States |
|
| Win | 8–0 | Dino Homsey |
TKO | 1 (8) | 05/09/1989 | Harrah's Hotel & Casino, Stateline, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 7–0 | Tracy Thomas |
KO | 1 (6) | 15/08/1989 | South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 6–0 | Al Evans |
KO | 1 (10) | 15/07/1989 | Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 5–0 | Ken Crosby |
KO | 1 (?) | 12/06/1989 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 4–0 | David Hopkins |
KO | 1 (4) | 16/05/1989 | Tyndall Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
|
| Win | 3–0 | Garing Lane |
UD | 4 | 28/03/1989 | Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 2–0 | Luis Walford |
KO | 1 (?) | 04/03/1989 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, United States |
|
| Win | 1–0 | Jesse McGhee |
TKO | 3 (?) | 24/02/1989 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
Professional debut. |
Kickboxing record
| Date | Result | Record | Opponent | Event | Method | Round | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 15, 2005 | Loss | 0–2 | Remy Bonjasky |
K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Seoul | TKO (Right High Kick) | 1 | 0:22 |  Seoul, South Korea |
| June 6, 2004 | Loss | 0–1 |  Musashi |
K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Nagoya | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | Nagoya, Japan |
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 0 |
Professional record
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | Tim Sylvia | KO (punch) | Adrenaline MMA 3: Bragging Rights | June 13, 2009 | 1 | 0:09 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States |
Exhibition record
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 0–1 | Kimbo Slice | Submission (guillotine choke) | Cage Fury Fighting Championship 5 | June 23, 2007 | 1 | 1:12 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
Boxing accomplishments
| Preceded by | NABF Heavyweight Champion 5 August 1990 – 11 January 1991 Vacated |
Succeeded by Orlin Norris |
| Preceded by | WBO World Heavyweight Championship 11 January 1991–24 December 1991 Vacated |
Succeeded by Michael Moorer |
| Preceded by | United States Amateur Heavyweight Champion 1988 |
Succeeded by Javier Alvarez |
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://articles.philly.com/1993-06-30/sports/25972262_1_mercer-first-jesse-ferguson-ray-mercer
External links
- Professional MMA record for Ray Mercer from SherdogLua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 28: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- Professional boxing record for Ray Mercer from BoxRec
- K-1 record
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1904–1908: +158 lb (71.7 kg) · 1920–1936: +175 lb (79.4 kg) · 1948: +80 kg · 1952–1980: +81 kg · 1984–2012: 81–91 kg · 2016–2020: 82–91 kg · 2024–: 81–92 kg
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- Use mdy dates from April 2014
- Boxrec ID different in Wikidata
- 1961 births
- African-American boxers
- African-American mixed martial artists
- American kickboxers
- American mixed martial artists
- Boxers at the 1988 Summer Olympics
- Boxers from Florida
- Heavyweight boxers
- Heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Kickboxers from Florida
- Living people
- Mixed martial artists from Florida
- Olympic boxers of the United States
- Olympic medalists in boxing
- Sportspeople from Jacksonville, Florida
- Super heavyweight kickboxers
- United States Army soldiers
- Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers
- World Boxing Organization champions
- World heavyweight boxing champions
- American male boxers
- Olympic gold medalists for the United States in boxing
