When Lennox Lewis Confronted His Worst Nightmare
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- Опубліковано 21 бер 2024
- Welcome back to Boxing After Dark! Tonight, we journey back to 1996, a pivotal moment in the career of Lennox Lewis. Following a stunning defeat to Oliver McCall, Lewis is on the comeback trail, having faced formidable opponents like Tommy Morrison in tune-up bouts. However, standing in his path to reclaiming the world championship is none other than Ray Mercer! Mercer, too, finds himself on a similar trajectory, coming off a closely contested decision loss to Holyfield in his last bout.
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I really appreciate the homage you paid to Mercer at the end that is really touching and honorable. Mercer was as tough as they came and underrated. Unfortunately was robbed a couple of times. You did this man justice and it's appreciated. Thank you from a boxing fan's perspective.
Man, your words carry weight. Thanks for sharing!
Mercer was the most underrated heavyweight of the ‘90s. An absolute boxing beast.
Mercer also lost to Jesse Ferguson....TWICE!
@@thediaz07 styles make fights, Jesse just happened to be Ray’s kryptonite, just like Evander whooping Tyson twice lol
Mercer had a stocky tyson physic and gave Lennox serious trouble. Imagine a prime Tyson?
What A fight, My grandpa was a boxer and watched boxing almost every day until his passing. It was something we bonded over. I miss that man, He taught me how to box but also taught me to respect fellow man. One thing he told me. Never embarrass another man in front of his family and never let a man embarrass you in front of your family. Always be the one to de-escalate a situation. He loved Tyson and Mercer. RIP Nonno.
These rules of your grandpa are for sure good for people that have rules, even when the others. But nowadays not many people have rules. If somebody is stupid, for sure he will heard it from me. Only thing that you can heard from stupid people is: I will not comment your behaviour.
Ray Mercer was an inspiration. He taught a younger generation the guts and toughness it took to fight at the top of the sport.
What a boxer Mercer was. And so was Donovan Ruddock!
@@tonyroy8123 most don’t realize how tough Ruddock was. He had some really tough fights that shortened his career. He would dominate today’s heavyweights.
I remember this fight back in 1996. And just as I was back then, I was also today in this short video, I was glued to the screen and in total awe at how they both took power blow after blow and didn't get knocked out. This fight should've ended in a draw with a repeat match as both fighters next fight.
I think if I were there in person, I couldn't watch it. But then again I've never seen a fight in person.
Manny put Lennox right where he needed to be. Lennox is the last great Heavyweight.
hes one of the greatest that i'll give you, but not the last.
maybe Vitali and Wladimir were last but they weren't on Lewis's level, especially in his prime, also when Wlad beat Mercer Mercer was way way passed his best. @@Stadt101
Lennox is a woman
That Tommy Morrison knockout, tho... one of, if not the most, brutal knockout I ever saw
That wasnt a knockout. That was a murder.
Yeah. Morrison looked like a helpless, harmless sleeping child against the ropes. "Merciless" Ray showed how he got his name on that night.
The ref sure enjoyed standing by and watching it too!
@@Stadt101 Mercer found out before the fight Tommy was getting paid more. He said in an interview before the fight he was going to take it out on Tommy. Personally I think when you have to guys that size fighting you should have a much much larger referee in there.
And Tua's one
Now those are two heavyweights really really going at it! 💪🏽💪🏽
Mercer was so dam tough and strong , even when he’s hurt , he just throws one back at you and there’s another KO
Ray was one of the most brutal punchers in the heavy weight division. Incredible boxer.
Jesse Ferguson schooled Mercer tho.
Mercer was a tough dude that could throw some hard leather. Losing to an ancient Larry Holmes derailed his career big time. Came in the heaviest of his career up to that point. Went from being one of the brightest stars after beating Morrison to being the B side and losing questionable decisons.
This is one of the most UNDERRATED HW fights ever… I watch it at least once a year!!!
Mercer is a Legend and won his mma fight 👏 🙌 not many boxers can say that Godbless Ray 🙏
Against a former ufc champ know less
Yes sir
I absolutely love this fight. Fun Fact: Mercer and Sylvia had an "unwritten" agreement that Mercer wouldn't throw haymakers if Sylvia didn't kick. In the first few second of the fight Sylvia kicks Mercer to the thigh...Mercer looks annoyed and unloads that massive haymaker on Sylvia, knocking him cold. Brilliant.
When? Who?
@@ytsux9259before James toney and Randy couture fought. Both Toney and Mercer were on a show laughing at how Mercer knocked out tim Sylvia and Toney was saying he was gonna do the same to Randy lol
This was the absolute pinnacle of ‘90s golden age boxing ❤
Lewis was robbed against McCall...Oliver was doing a great fight, but the fight should not have been stopped at that momment, Lewis could still fight. PS - 90's were the dinosaur era. Lewis, Mercer, Holyfield, Bowe.
Ray is so tough. Great era of boxing
This one of the best fights of the 90s. Could’ve gone either way.
- When heavyweight boxing was worth watching.....what a fight that was....
that ending gave me goosebumps gj
I think this also shows how good even “old” Larry Holmes was when he had PROPER time to train. Mercer gave everyone he fought a tough battle, but Holmes completely outboxed him and still took time to troll Mercer multiple times throughout the fight.
Yeah Holmes schooled Mercer
Hats off to both the boxers, especially Mercer
Why especially to Mercer and not Lennox?
I thought Ray won this fight but it was super close. This was Lewis’s best “fight” I think.
I have always thought this was Lennox's best fight too. He showed guts, stamina and heart. Those were hallmarks for Ray Mercer, but Lewis had a bit more talent.
Mercer is no Lennox not close
@@JayYo21If Ray hadn’t come off of the year layoff, I think he wins this fight. Ray’s ring rust gave Lennox Lewis an edge.
@@frankdixon4112 that’s all hypotheticals I can apply that same logic to so many fights
@@JayYo21 no he’s definitely not. I just thought he won this fight. Lewis is definitely the better boxer. No question.
i miss when boxing was like this..fighters fought fighters..not like now where they avoid each other and take easy fights
Not all of them to be fair. Joshua, Usyk, Zhang, Parker for example would fight anybody.
@@dirtyandnasty9011Ya but it's a shame the champions don't have the same mindset though
There were a lot of heavyweight fights that didn’t happen in the 90s or took forever to make, Bowe/Foreman, didn’t fight Lewis/Tyson, etc
Mercer one tough Boxer
this channel is so good. i'm a passive boxing fan but i get totally into the lore of these videos. great job
Ray Mercer was in the Army so it’s no surprise he was tough as nails.
If Mercer had head movement.. 💪💪
Nice little video here I'm 33 and I didnt witnesse this fight growing up so thanks for bringing to my attention
Such a close fight, but for me, Lewis just edged it with a better performance in the latter rounds. Mercer was a real beast though and this fight could have gone either way.
Ray Mercer Fought in some epic fights in the 90s
I broke the don't double comment rule but just got to the end of the video . That was a solid you giving so much credit to Ray that he deserves. Really well said . He was a beast and a super honorable man. Nice work👏
Great job with this video!!
One of my favourite fights great match up
A Great Boxer, a Champion, A wonderful Man. he served his country, loved his family & was loved by his fans nation & family. God Bless Him.
Lennox Lewis, Gold medalist in 1988 as a Canadian, where he grew up.
Lewis mentioned after years that the reason of his poor performance was extremely small ring. He made step back and there was a rope. Deffinetly, it helped Mercer. I agree.
Looked like Mercer won to me. But I didn't score it. Dude is a warrior. I gotta watch that full fight. It is scary to watch. Heavy weight power!
I just watched the fight. 97 - 94 Lewis. Mercer gassed out after like 7th round. I think this fight is a classic dispute between hard punches versus scoring punches.
Technical Draw is what I saw. But it's a popularity contest.
Great fight, great video
Gotta give Lewis credit,he duct no one and fought them all.
Proven champion and avenged both losses.
Mercer all heart and tough as nails.
I feel Mercer was underrated. His loss to Larry Holmes had a major impact on his career.
Ray would have been champion forever if he hadn't had the misfortune to be around during the days of Lewis, Tyson, Holyfield and Bowe.
True that. That’s why I claim Lewis had the best resume of all time, Ali included. And he made easy work out of some monsters; Briggs, Morrison, Grant, Razor Ruddock.
@@geraldfriend256nah the best boxers came before him in the 70s and 80s the golden era of boxers
I LOVE this channel
Great fight. Mercer was tough guy and hw division was superb in the 90s.
Today’s fighters would struggle in that era.
Tremendous ending there for Mercer.. your words really gave him the respect he deserves. ✨ All of it is truth, too.
4:56 lol. that is so badass how Ray took that punch with all Lewis could put into it, then just lounged on the ropes like he was chilling in a hot tub.
Awesome fight dude thanks
ANOTHER Top Fighter that Tyson avoided, amongst MANY - Ray Mercer!
Very well done!!!
What a war
Remember boxing? It was so great
Both absolute warriors
Excellent video.
Even if I'm a Lewis fan, the fight against Mercer was in my opinion the hardest of his career and made him realize that . Mercer was already known for being a great puncher and have an iron chin, many at the time believed Lewis Lewis had a glass chin and that fight proved that wrong.
Mercer made an exhibition of 'old school' boxing full of courage and without fear against the man everybody feared at the time.
Credits for both for giving 10 rounds of what real boxing is about.
There can never be a fight like this in the heavyweight division again.
Lennox threw some uppercuts that surely knock out 95% of HW, Mercer just so tough. Amazing that this one gone full distance.
Both guys 👍🏾👍🏾🔥
It’s great to see my favourite #boxing content creator back with a hit 🥊 …. The last Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion 🙌🏿 … I’m patiently waiting for the epic “Boxing After Dark” theme song during fights to be back 🙌🏿
Great tribute to the legendary Ray Mercer.
Fighters represent the Spartan in all of us.
HBO+90s+Boxing =Was Golden.
If I saw this brawl in a bar i wouldnt call the police. I'll order another beer and watch
Amazing 🥊🥊🔥
That was a great fight
Real boxing, it hurts just watching it.
Would be great to see Lewis against prime Vladimir,Ibeabuchi,Mike, healthy Mccall
What an underrated and honestly unfairly forgotten fight. What a banger that Lewis won on a razor thin decision, but realistically could have gone either way.
Lewis one of the goats of this era
Pacquiao’s story with Marquez would be cool to see a series on
None of this generation would have survived either of these two. We hardly even witness two heavyweights trading like this nowadays.
Had Lewis just edging it - higher skill level too. Great fight by both & fine effort by Mercer.
Two great boxers. Great fight.
Back when Boxing was as it's peak, top fighters fighting each other and big fights in Las Vegas & Madison Square Garden not Saudi...I miss these days 😢 The Lewis vs Mercer card also had Holyfield and Tim Witherspoon fights on, was a great night of Boxing 🥊
Ray was a tough fighter with a good chin but one of those guys who was just good enough to lose close fights against elite competition.
One of the best heavyweight fight ever!
Great champion lennox Lewis
very few gave such a tough fight as mercer gave to lewis, this was lewis near top of his game too. personaly i think mercer would have beaten mike tyson.
Mercer destroys any idea of the current eras trash.
God bless him, but to only God goes the glory, who gave Ray the courage and ability.
Really wish Mercer hadn't bungled/been spoiled in the Ferguson and Holmes fights so we could have seen Mercer fight Bowe or Holyfield for the title in the earlier portion of the 90s.
Mercer was never knocked out but he was knocked down by Klitschko
He was knocked out by Briggs but that was a strange and barely legal ko and they were pretty old in this fight.
I remember Mercer boxing when I was stationed in Baumholder Germany for the army. He was a beast even then...
That was really good fight,Both fight really hard and my opinion is Ray mercer won that fight,by points
The punch stats show Lewis landed more overall + landed mostly power shots where Mercer landed mostly jabs.
Also Lewis landed some great combinations and was able to stop using his usual style of jabbing to set up the right cross from the outside, to an inside brawling style, which is spectacular. Imo he won this pretty comfortably.
The effort of Mercer to throw as much as Lewis makes believe he did at least as good but most were blocked.
Ray mercer was hard man..I would have loved to see TUA vs MERCER
Mercer would destroy any of the current crop of heavyweights
Esse lennox foi um dos melhores lutadores de box , o cara era bom de soco
It was Mercer’s night.
Lennox is the boxing version of Ryu from Street fight.
Shoooòoryuken!
The level of competition Lewis fought is miles ahead of Tyson . He’s the best HW of the 90s, followed by Evander
Not more than Evander. Not even close. Look at Evanders record. Lennox fought some of the guys around at the time, Tua, Briggs, but Evander went up against so many big names. You can’t find any heavyweight with more big names on their record.
@@jasonellis9777 Thats only because the bigger names were scared of Lennox.
Foreman- publicly admitted he wanted no part of Lennox whilst active as a fighter and commentator.
Bowe- Very publicly admitted he wanted no part of Lennox after beating Evander
Tyson- Vaccated his belt (which Lennox was the mandatory for) to fight Evander
Lennox beat two of those guys (admittidley one was at the olympics) but both picked Evander over Lennox.
As a whole, they both fought at the same level.
@@dylanburston7453 exactly 🔥 Bowe even vacated his belt to avoid Lewis. Not to mention Lewis actually beat Evander himself . Lewis also had big name wins in Klitshcko, Mercer, Briggs Tua & Morrison
Also some of Evanders big names are from Cruserweight. Not all of his resume consists of Heavyweight fights
Then why didn't he fight Tyson in his prime. 😮
Vitali was better then Evander
Mercer, beast of a fighter
Wow that was one hell of a a fight. Lewis beat some of the best of that era.
Mercer unfortunate not to get the decision. I remember watching live, scoring it for him by a round. All credit to Ray, he was as tough as they come.
Ray Mercer was a great fighter, like the Samoan warrior Dave Tua : avoided by many. Granite chin, relentless work rate, dangerous power puncher. The split decision was controversial at the time.
Lennox schooled Tua for 12 rounds.
Mercer has a thick skull ! 💀
The important thing is not who the opponent is, but Lennox's own condition.
If Lennox is in his best condition, he will crush anyone he faces.
Love the bloodsport soundtrack
You better put some respect on the Gman's name you forgot to mention( trained in kronk)
Close fight, but lewis threw more variety and definitely landed more power shots. Mercer had a good jab which troubled Lennox for sure.
Lewis got him but that fight was one of the greatest of all time
I still think Lennox Lewis is the greatest heavyweight of all time he gets glossed over because his fights didn’t always end in spectacular knock outs but he was the most complete boxer to ever lace up the gloves.
There were many like Lewis he was ordinary bei
I came around to being a ray Mercer fan when I was a kid and I was a big Tommy Morrison fan. And I heard that Ray Mercer was scary but watching Tommy Pummel him for the first three or four rounds I thought it was going to be easy.... then Ray got mad . Ouch😖😂
Lennox Lewis rarely fought anybody that had a decent jab and when he did it gave him fits but Lennox Lewis still a legend
Mercer was superb at his peak!