1. Raymond Anthony Mercer was born on April 4,1961 and is an American former professional boxer, kickboxer, and mixed martial artist who competed from 1989 to 2009.
30 Facts About Ray Mercer
1. 2.
Best known for his boxing career, 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.
3.
Ray Mercer played linebacker at high school in Hanau, didn't plan to go for a college education.
4.
Ray Mercer served with the USAREUR, V Corps, infantry, he was stationed with Company D, 1st Battalion, 39th Infantry, in Baumholder, West Germany.
5.
Ray Mercer started boxing at the age of 23 while serving in the US Army in West Germany.
6.
Ray 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 Ray Mercer.
7.
Ray Mercer first boxed in organized competition in 1983 at Schweinfurt, West Germany.
8.
Ray Mercer first won the brigade title after winning the battalion box-off.
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Ray Mercer became 1985 US Army and inter-service heavyweight champion, along with Wesley Watson, who was inter-service superheavyweight champion.
10.
Ray Mercer won the 1988 United States amateur heavyweight championship.
11.
At the USA vs Cuba match-up, Ray Mercer twice staggered Felix Savon, but was impeded from doing further damage by questionable intervention by the Cuban referee, Alfredo Toledo.
12.
Ray Mercer knocked out all four of his Olympic opponents, winning Gold at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul as a heavyweight.
13.
Ray Mercer turned pro in January 1989 and debuted with a 3rd TKO of Jesse McGhee.
14.
Ray Mercer scored a series of knockouts, scoring his first notable in a split decision of Ossie Ocasio, former cruiserweight champion and heavyweight tile challenger.
15.
Ray 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.
16.
Ray Mercer returned February 1998 with a 2-round KO of Leo Loiacono, but contracted Hepatitis B and was again inactive, this time for 20 months.
17.
In February 2001 a 39-year-old Ray 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.
18.
Once famed for his incredible iron chin, Ray Mercer looked his age and was knocked down in the first and stopped in the sixth round for the first time in his career.
19.
However, Ray Mercer did return to boxing in 2005, now aged 44, but he was stopped in seven rounds by former Lineal champion Shannon Briggs.
20.
Ray Mercer returned, scoring a first round KO over the Journeyman Mikael Lindblad.
21.
Ray Mercer held a reasonable account of himself, but his age and inability to successfully defend kicks was evident.
22.
Ray Mercer came out with a failed double jab towards Bonjasky's shoulder and head, but missed, and attempted to throw a right.
23.
Ray Mercer voiced his surrender and the bout was stopped at twenty-two seconds and Bonjasky was awarded the TKO victory.
24.
However the bout was cancelled after Ray Mercer missed his flight to the country.
25.
On March 21,2007, Cage Fury announced that Ray 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.
26.
Ray 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 really train in any other aspect of MMA and was unprepared for the guillotine choke.
27.
Ray Mercer 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.
28.
Sylvia threw a kick, for the opponents agreed to keep the fight standing, but Ray Mercer was visibly agitated as he threw a light jab.
29.
Ray Mercer delivered his overhand right to Sylvia, stunning him, and threw a second right hand on the ground.
30.
In March 2010, it was announced that Ray Mercer had signed with the King of the Cage organization, although no bouts would materialize.