Kimbo Slice vs Ray Mercer

[Wetzelbill]

Well since street brawler Kimbo Slice and Ray Mercer will be fighting in an MMA fight next month, I figure I should add to the spectacle and post all of Kimbo's fights. If Ray is anywhere at himself he's got to be able to take this guy. I would think so anyway.

In descending order from Kimbo's most recent to the earliest fights:

Kimbo vs The Bouncer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8EgIe_y26c

Kimbo vs both Afro Puff and Big Mac (Back to back)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YslvUPswDdA

Kimbo vs Adryan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ-mwlZOBsY

Kimbo vs mma fighter Sean Gannon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3omgcuwrso

Kimbo vs Rasta (my personal favorite)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeEk57b9Dzk

Kimbo vs Big D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdJk7hqQtG8

[H2O Man]

1. Ray is an old,

old man who is way past his prime. He was 28 when he turned pro in the late 1980s, and he peaked in 1991. His last win over a contender was in 1996, and that was over Tim Witherspoon, himself more than a decade past his prime.

[Wetzelbill]

2. yeah but he's fighting a guy who is a pure street fighter

who routinely pounds on a bunch of stiffs. The only time Kimbo fought anybody remotely tough was when he fought Sean Gannon who is a below average MMA fighter and Gannon whipped his ass. Ray at least has technical skills and can still punch. But yeah, your analogy on that other thread to a snapping turtle is right. Ray needs to hang it up. This match up is more an intriguing curiousity than anything. I suppose Kimbo has some potential if he evolves, he's only about 30, good sized and strong. Bad technique though. If you watch those videos I put up you'll see what I mean. Ray could conceivably pick this guy apart, if he is anywhere at himself.

[H2O Man]

3. When he was young,

Ray was a good fighter. He could hit hard, take a good punch, and he was always in good enough condition to wear opponents down, and impose his will. His fight with Lennox Lewis came after his prime, and he still did very well. That was a long time ago.

The problem that old fighters eventually face is two-part: {1} they see openings, but no longer have the reflexes that allow them to take advantage of them; and {2} they see punches coming, and no longer have the reflexes to get out of the way.

[Wetzelbill]

4. that's what I was thinking

after I made my reply, and sat around for an hour or so cooking etc, all of a sudden "Reflexes!" hit me. :)

That is a tough one to overcome.

[H2O Man]

5. Yep.

Once they begin to fail, even a guy who used to take a heck of a punch becomes a punching bag. The punch you see coming lands, and then it's followed by one (or more) you don't see.

One of the real down-sides of boxing is that a lot of men like Ray Mercer really don't plan on doing anything other than fighting. Leon Spinks, who had some of Mercer's strengths before partying took them, is a janitor now. But he is happy. Mercer may need to make that same transition. I am glad to see that more and more retired fighters are trying to help other guys make a life after boxing.

[TroubleMan]

6. Ray Mercer by "old man strength."

LOL....I think this fight is simply determined by what kind of shape Mercer comes in. If he shows up fat and winded, he's in trouble. If he's in decent shape, he should KO Kimbo.

[Wetzelbill]

7. Ray Mercer could be 95 years old and still be tougher than Afro Puff

or Rasta. :rofl:

Kimbo doesn't exactly fight the toughest competition around. :) I get a kick out of watching him beat the hell out of the stiffs he fights though, it's a hoot. He is a physical animal. I like how he just stood there and let that one guy hit him a few times. You could just see the guy get totally chilled out by that, haha.

Mercer and Kimbo. What an effing spectacle. Pro wrestling can't even come up with this shit. :)

[TSIAS]

8. Kimbo's a local hero

He's from Miami. I heard him on the radio the other day with Dan LeBatard. Half jokingly, the radio show suggested a listener field trip to travel to New Jersey to support local legend Kimbo Slice.

I've never seen him fight, as my computer is terrible with downloads. Mercer was once an elite level prizefighter in the 1990's.

I had never heard of Kimbo until he came on with LeBatard on 790 the Ticket radio in South Florida. I'll be pulling for him to KO "Sgt." Mercer

[TSIAS]

9. Kick

The fight is tomorrow night. I can't believe they're charging $30 for the PPV. I like Mercer to easily win this fight. Kimbo has too many flaws in his defense to withstand five rounds.

[TroubleMan]

10. Kimbo's actually been training real MMA with Bas Rutten for this fight.

Bas is one of the all time greats. Also, they've been mostly working ground work.

Judging from Mercer's previous forays into other fighting genres, I'm guessing he didn't train on the ground. Based on that information, I'm now thinking Kimbo will win the fight. He has to take it to the ground, though.

[Wetzelbill]

11. Kimbo has a lot going for him in this one

Youth for one. He still has his reflexes. He has learned some ground skills. So he can win this thing if he goes to the ground. Even at Ray's age though, I think he would eat Kimbo up on their feet. Too skilled. Barring a big power shot Ray has him on their feet.

It'll be interesting to see Kimbo's strategy. I say he goes out and tries to take Ray down right away. Then maybe try out some G&P from there.

[TroubleMan]

12. ****Spoiler*****

Kimbo wins in the first round by guillotine choke. Here's a guy who did a play-by-play:

http://www.411mania.com/MMA/news/56173/411-Mania-LIVE-Coverage-of-CFFC-5:-Two-Worlds,-One-Cage.htm

Kimbo went immediately for a takedown - smart guy.

[Wetzelbill]

13. Yeah I just caught that

Interesting stuff. :)