Ray Mercer

Last updated

Ray Mercer
Ray Mercer, 1988.JPEG
Mercer in 1988
BornRaymond Anthony Mercer
(1961-04-04) April 4, 1961 (age 64)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Other namesMerciless
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Division
Reach77 in (196 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Years active
  • 1989–2008 (boxing)
  • 2004–2005 (kickboxing)
  • 2007, 2009 (MMA)
Professional boxing record
Total44
Wins36
By knockout26
Losses7
By knockout2
Draws1
Kickboxing record
Total2
Losses2
By knockout1
Mixed martial arts record
Total1
Wins1
By knockout1
Losses0
Other information
Children9
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Men's amateur Boxing
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1988 Seoul Heavyweight
Last updated on: April 5, 2023

Raymond Anthony Mercer (born April 4, 1961) is an American former professional boxer, kickboxer, and mixed martial artist who competed from 1989 to 2009. As an amateur, he won the heavyweight gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. [1] In 1991, Mercer captured the WBO heavyweight title and later successfully defended it against Tommy Morrison. [2] He subsequently vacated the title. Mercer was nicknamed "Merciless" for his strength, power, and aggressive fighting style, a label used throughout his professional career. [2] [3]

Contents

In 2004, Mercer competed in a kickboxing match against four-time K-1 Japan tournament winner Musashi, losing by unanimous decision. [4] In 2009, he made a brief appearance in mixed martial arts, defeating former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia by first-round knockout.

Early life

Mercer is the son of retired NCO Raymond Mercer Sr. and spent his childhood in Fort Benning, Georgia and Hanau, West Germany as part of a military family. [5] He later recalled:

"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 guns 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." [5]

Mercer played high school football as a linebacker in Hanau, Germany, and later graduated from Richmond County Academy in Augusta, Georgia. The following year, he enlisted in the United States Army. [5]

Military service

Mercer served with the U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR), under V Corps, in the infantry. He was stationed with Company D, 1st Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment in Baumholder, West Germany. [6] He achieved the rank of sergeant. [7]

Amateur boxing career

Mercer began boxing at age 23 while serving in the United States Army. He later stated that he had never worn gloves prior to his enlistment. "The Army taught me everything I know about boxing," explained Mercer. Mercer was offered the chance to avoid a 30-day field exercise by becoming a sparring partner for the post's heavyweight boxing champion. [8]

His first organized bout came in 1983 at Schweinfurt, West Germany. After winning his battalion box-off, he went on to claim the brigade title. After that, Mercer claimed, "I won the VII Corps novice and open championships and finished second at U.S. Army, Europe." [9] Mercer recalled being physically challenged early in his amateur career:

"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."

Mercer became the 1985 U.S. Army and inter-service heavyweight champion, alongside Wesley Watson, who was the inter-service super heavyweight title. [10] That same year, Army Coach Hank Johnson sought to recruit Mercer for a stateside training camp for the 1988 Olympics, Mercer turned down the offer. [5]

Throughout the late 1980s, Mercer continued to compete successfully in military-sponsored competitions. He won three USAREUR crowns while carrying the banner for V Corps, [6] with his first victory coming less than a year after his first amateur fight. [11] While still serving with USAREUR, Mercer had several more amateur bouts in Germany between 1986—1987, and he also competed internationally in Western European open tournaments. [6]

In the summer of 1988, he won the inter-service heavyweight championship again, [12] before applying for the all-Army boxing trial camp to win a spot on the Army team. [9] Mercer won the 1988 United States amateur heavyweight championship. [13] At the USA vs. Cuba match-up, he twice staggered Félix Savón, but was impeded from doing further damage by the Cuban referee, Alfredo Toledo. [14] Mercer subsequently defeated Yugoslavian Željko Mavrović to win the tournament. [15]

1988 Olympics

Mercer was the oldest member of the US boxing team at the 1988 Summer Olympics. [16] Despite this, many regarded him as one of the team's most talented boxers. [17] During the games, Muhammad Ali's former trainer Angelo Dundee noted that Mercer and teammate Andrew Maynard each had the potential to develop into world champions after becoming professionals. Dundee claimed that "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." [18] According to Kelvin Richardson of the '88 All-Army Team, Mercer was such a hard puncher that he frequently knocked his sparring partners out of the ring, even while wearing 16-ounce gloves. As a result, his super heavyweight Olympic teammate Riddick Bowe avoided sparring with him. [19]

Prior to the start of the Olympics, Mercer's fellow soldiers in Germany signed a large banner for him and shipped it to Seoul. During a post-fight interview, he described the significance of their support to the audience, saying "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." [20]

Mercer knocked out all four of his Olympic opponents en route to winning gold as a heavyweight. [21] He was named the United States Armed Forces Athlete of the Year in November 1988 following his Olympic victory. In January 1989, Mercer was honorably discharged from the Army and began his professional boxing career. [22]

Professional boxing career

Mercer began his professional boxing career in January 1989, winning his debut bout via a third-round TKO against Jesse McGhee. [23] In August 1990, he knocked down and outpointed Bert Cooper in a 12-round brawl that earned him Cooper's NABF title. [24]

Final fights

Mercer retired in 2008 as a one-time major title holder with a record of 36–7–1 (26 KOs). [25]

Mixed martial arts career

Mercer explored mixed martial arts as early as 2003 when he was scheduled to face Kazuyuki Fujita, who was 9–4 across his MMA career. The fight was to be held in Kobe, Japan as the main event of the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye in an MMA ring. However, the bout was cancelled after Mercer missed his flight to the country. [26]

On March 21, 2007, Cage Fury Fighting Championships announced that Mercer had signed to face underground street fighter Kimbo Slice at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall as part of Cage Fury Fighting Championship 5 . The bout was a non-sanctioned exhibition under the New Jersey Unified MMA rules, [27] with both men making their professional MMA debuts. Slice won the fight in the first round with a guillotine choke submission. Afterwards, Mercer said he would be sticking with boxing since he "can't get choked out in boxing." [28]

In March 2010, it was announced that Mercer had signed with the King of the Cage organization, but no bouts materialized. [29] At 1–0, he was scheduled to face at the time undefeated MMA fighter and Kickboxer Ron Sparks, but the bout was cancelled due to a lingering injury Mercer had sustained 13 years earlier. [30] [31]

Professional boxing record

44 fights36 wins7 losses
By knockout262
By decision105
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
44Win36–7–1 Richel Hersisia MD6Sep 5, 2008Nöjesfabriken, Karlstad, Sweden
43Loss35–7–1 Derric Rossy UD12Jan 26, 2008 Venetian Arena, Macau, SARFor vacant WBC–ABCO, WBF International, and WBO–NABO interim heavyweight titles
42Win35–6–1Mikael LindbladKO1, 1:50Sep 15, 2007 Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad, Sweden
41Loss34–6–1 Shannon Briggs KO7 (10), 0:41Aug 26, 2005 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
40Win34–5–1 Darroll Wilson UD10Jun 24, 2005Nikki Beach Concert Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
39Win33–5–1Steve PannellTKO3 (10), 0:50Feb 28, 2004Seminole Casino, Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S.
38Win32–5–1Shawn RobinsonTKO3 (10), 1:49Nov 11, 2003 Caesars, Elizabeth, Indiana, U.S.
37Win31–5–1Mario CawleyKO3 (10), 1:08Aug 23, 2003Seminole Casino, Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S.
36Loss30–5–1 Wladimir Klitschko TKO6 (12), 1:08 Jun 29, 2002 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For WBO heavyweight title
35Win30–4–1Troy WeidaTKO1 (10), 0:28Feb 23, 2002 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
34Win29–4–1Brian ScottKO2 (10), 0:57Oct 13, 2001 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
33Win28–4–1Don SteeleKO5 (10), 3:00Mar 17, 2001 Silver Star Hotel & Casino, Choctaw, Mississippi, U.S.
32Win27–4–1Jeff PeguesTKO2 (10), 2:59Feb 11, 2001 Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin, Illinois, U.S.
31Win26–4–1Jimmy HaynesKO1 (10), 0:43Dec 18, 1999 Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
30Win25–4–1Leo LoiaconoKO2 (10), 0:46Feb 21, 1998 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
29Win24–4–1 Tim Witherspoon UD10 Dec 14, 1996 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
28Loss23–4–1 Lennox Lewis MD10 May 10, 1996 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
27Loss23–3–1 Evander Holyfield UD10 May 20, 1995 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
26Draw23–2–1 Marion Wilson SD10Jul 28, 1994Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
25Win23–2 Jesse Ferguson SD10Nov 19, 1993Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24Win22–2Mark WillsUD10Oct 6, 1993Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
23Win21–2Tony WillisTKO1 (10), 2:11Aug 12, 1993 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
22Loss20–2 Jesse Ferguson UD10 Feb 6, 1993 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
21Win20–1Jerry HalsteadRTD2 (12), 3:00Dec 10, 1992Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20Win19–1Mike DixonRTD7 (10), 3:00Oct 7, 1992County Center, Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
19Loss18–1 Larry Holmes UD12 Feb 7, 1992 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18Win18–0 Tommy Morrison TKO5 (12), 0:28 Oct 18, 1991 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBO heavyweight title
17Win17–0 Francesco Damiani KO9 (12), 2:47Jan 11, 1991 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won WBO heavyweight title
16Win16–0 Bert Cooper UD12Aug 5, 1990Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won NABF heavyweight title
15Win15–0Lionel WashingtonTKO4 (10), 1:59May 31, 1990 Community War Memorial, Rochester, New York, U.S.
14Win14–0Kimmuel OdumUD12Mar 2, 1990 Hacienda, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
13Win13–0 Wesley Watson TKO5 (10), 0:44 Jan 15, 1990 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win12–0 Ossie Ocasio SD8Dec 7, 1989 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
11Win11–0Jerry JonesUD8Nov 14, 1989South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win10–0Eddie RichardsonTKO1 (8), 2:16Oct 17, 1989 State Fairgrounds, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
9Win9–0Arthel LawhorneTKO2 (10), 1:05Sep 19, 1989 Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
8Win8–0Dino HomseyTKO1 (8), 1:58Sep 5, 1989 Harrah's Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
7Win7–0Tracy ThomasKO1 (6), 2:09Aug 15, 1989 South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0Al EvansTKO1 (6), 2:55Jul 15, 1989 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win5–0Ken CrosbyKO1 (6), 2:45Jun 12, 1989 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
4Win4–0David HopkinsKO1 (4), 1:07May 16, 1989Tyndall Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
3Win3–0Garing LaneUD4Mar 28, 1989 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
2Win2–0Luis WalfordKO1 (4)Mar 4, 1989 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
1Win1–0Jesse McGheeTKO3 (4), 0:30 Feb 24, 1989 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.

Kickboxing record

0 Wins (0 (T) KO's, 0 decision), 2 Losses
DateResultRecordOpponentEventMethodRoundTimeLocation
March 15, 2005Loss0–2 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Remy Bonjasky K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Seoul TKO (Right High Kick)10:22 Flag of South Korea.svg Seoul, South Korea
June 6, 2004Loss0–1 Flag of Japan.svg Musashi K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Nagoya Decision (Unanimous)33:00 Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya, Japan

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
1 match1 win0 losses
By knockout10

Professional record

Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win1–0 Tim Sylvia KO (punch)Adrenaline MMA 3: Bragging RightsJune 13, 200910:09 Birmingham, Alabama, United StatesSuper Heavyweight debut.

Exhibition record

Professional record breakdown
1 match0 wins1 loss
By submission01
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss0–1 Kimbo Slice Submission (guillotine choke) Cage Fury Fighting Championship 5 June 23, 200711:12 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

References

  1. ↑ Herrholz, Eric J. (August 20, 2023). "Remembering Ray Mercer". FIGHT.TV. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Davies, Ben (December 19, 2024). "Ray Mercer showed actor who starred in Rocky no mercy with 19 brutal shots". talkSPORT. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  3. ↑ ""Merciless" Ray Mercer - The Heavyweight Who Won't Retire!". Boxing247.com. August 28, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  4. ↑ "MaxBoxing: The 'Mercernary'". ESPN.com. August 25, 2005. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Berger, Phil (October 17, 1991). "Neither Mercer Nor Morrison Set Out to Make His Living in the Ring". The New York Times. p. 14. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 Rogers, David R.; Dove, Billy (September 1988). "Soldiers Vie For Olympics". Soldiers. 43 (9): 46. ISSN   0093-8440 . Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Army Olympic Update". Army. 38 (11): 71. November 1988. ISSN   0004-2455 . Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  8. ↑ Release, Press (February 12, 2020). "1988 Olympic gold medalist "Merciless" Ray Mercer Looks back at his Olympic experience". Ring News 24 | Boxing News. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Schad, Dave (January 1989). "Three Gold Medals". Soldiers. 44 (1): 17. ISSN   0093-8440 . Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  10. ↑ Garrett, George (March 1986). "Army Boxers Win National Title". Soldiers. 41 (3): 51. ISSN   0093-8440 . Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  11. ↑ Garcia, Elroy (June 1993). "All-Army Athletes". Soldiers. 44 (6): 37–38. ISSN   0093-8440 . Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  12. ↑ Army News Service (June 1988). "Army Takes 10 Titles". Soldiers. 43 (6): 55. ISSN   0093-8440 . Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Mercer Just May Be Sowing the Seeds for a High-Paying Career". Los Angeles Times. September 29, 1988.
  14. ↑ Berger, Phil (May 1, 1988). "U.S. Outslugged By Cuban Boxers". The New York Times. p. 6. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  15. ↑ Berger, Phil (June 6, 1988). "Rout For Americans". The New York Times. p. 11. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  16. ↑ Anderson, Dave (October 1, 1988). "Mercer Stops South Korean". The New York Times. p. 47. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  17. ↑ Anderson, Dave (September 17, 1988). "Coach Calls U.S. a Contender". The New York Times. p. 48. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  18. ↑ Anderson, Dave (October 2, 1988). "Green to Gold, Now Green Again". The New York Times. p. 2. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  19. ↑ RAY MERCER and RIDDICK BOWE HAD VIOLENT SPARRING SESSIONS- KELVIN “BIG DAWG” RICHARDSON
  20. ↑ Schad, Dave (January 1989). "Seoul Olympics: The Army Story". Soldiers. 44 (1): 17–19. ISSN   0093-8440 . Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  21. ↑ Anderson, Dave (September 29, 1988). "3 Americans Reach Finals". The New York Times. p. 18. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  22. ↑ Armed Forces Sports Office (February 1989). "Ray Mercer Named Athlete of Year". Soldiers. 44 (2): 3. ISSN   0093-8440 . Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Ray Mercer knocked out Jesse McGhee 30 seconds into... - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Mercer beats Cooper, remains undefeated - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Ray Mercer: Record & Stats". www.martialbot.com. May 12, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Ray Mercer vs. Kazuyuki Fujita, Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003 | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Freak Show or Convert? Kimbo Slice Interview". MMAWeekly. June 22, 2007. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
  28. ↑ "Ray Mercer sticking to boxing after MMA defeat". ESPN.com. June 25, 2007. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Ray Mercer Returns to Fight Undefeated Ron Sparks". MMAFighting.com. March 12, 2010.
  30. ↑ "Ron Sparks vs. Ray Mercer, KOTC | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Ray Mercer is out of his King of the Cage bout against Ron Sparks". MiddleEasy. September 17, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Michael Bentt 		U.S. heavyweight champion
1988		Next:
Javier Alvarez
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by NABF heavyweight champion
August 5, 1990 – January 1991
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Orlin Norris
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBO heavyweight champion
January 11, 1991 – December 28, 1991
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Michael Moorer
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