When Lennox Lewis Confronted His Worst Nightmare

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.

[@SilverioWilber-yc7mk]

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.

[@COMB0RICO]

Man, your words carry weight. Thanks for sharing!

[@JohnnyButtons]

Mercer was the most underrated heavyweight of the ‘90s. An absolute boxing beast.

[@thediaz07]

Mercer also lost to Jesse Ferguson....TWICE!

[@JohnnyButtons]

@@thediaz07 styles make fights, Jesse just happened to be Ray’s kryptonite, just like Evander whooping Tyson twice lol

[@moesypittounikos]

Mercer had a stocky tyson physic and gave Lennox serious trouble. Imagine a prime Tyson?

[@marlonious7650]

Manny put Lennox right where he needed to be. Lennox is the last great Heavyweight.

[@Stadt101]

hes one of the greatest that i'll give you, but not the last.

[@shaunlodwig]

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

[@donjames1903]

Mercer was so dam tough and strong , even when he’s hurt , he just throws one back at you and there’s another KO

[@MOTU-SUPERJUDGE]

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.

[@COMB0RICO]

I think if I were there in person, I couldn't watch it. But then again I've never seen a fight in person.

[@rekdinhopoetico]

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.

[@FarmerFpv]

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.

[@mrpowerlifter1413]

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.

[@jaysingh05]

Now those are two heavyweights really really going at it! 💪🏽💪🏽

[@aaalonso1984]

That Tommy Morrison knockout, tho... one of, if not the most, brutal knockout I ever saw

[@gabrieldiaz7236]

That wasnt a knockout. That was a murder.

[@R.to-the.A]

Yeah. Morrison looked like a helpless, harmless sleeping child against the ropes. "Merciless" Ray showed how he got his name on that night.

[@afridgetoofar1818]

The ref sure enjoyed standing by and watching it too!

[@gabrieldiaz7236]

@@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.

[@grantpitkethley8638]

And Tua's one

[@scottm9010]

Ray Mercer was an inspiration. He taught a younger generation the guts and toughness it took to fight at the top of the sport.

[@tonyroy8123]

What a boxer Mercer was. And so was Donovan Ruddock!

[@scottm9010]

@@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.

[@theinformationbomber7102]

@@scottm9010 Mercer was damn good but Ruddock was just a left handed puncher with no skillset and no defence

[@panchopuskas1]

- When heavyweight boxing was worth watching.....what a fight that was....

[@TRONMAGNUM2099]

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.

[@danielhughes3677]

Mercer is a Legend and won his mma fight 👏 🙌 not many boxers can say that Godbless Ray 🙏

[@davemartini3333]

Against a former ufc champ know less

[@danielhughes3677]

Yes sir

[@nick0is0ace]

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.

[@ytsux9259]

When? Who?

[@Jc-si6pj]

@@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

[@gordonpobar-gk3kz]

Mercer would destroy any of the current crop of heavyweights

[@bryandungee1029]

This is one of the most UNDERRATED HW fights ever… I watch it at least once a year!!!

[@jasonellis9777]

I thought Ray won this fight but it was super close. This was Lewis’s best “fight” I think.

[@kcash6359]

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.

[@JayYo21]

Mercer is no Lennox not close

[@frankdixon4112]

@@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.

[@JayYo21]

@@frankdixon4112 that’s all hypotheticals I can apply that same logic to so many fights

[@jasonellis9777]

@@JayYo21 no he’s definitely not. I just thought he won this fight. Lewis is definitely the better boxer. No question.

[@COMB0RICO]

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!

[@COMB0RICO]

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.

[@mongoslade277]

​@@COMB0RICO So you had Ray Mercer winning only 3 rounds in this fight with 1 even 🤔. Smh

[@johnny5805]

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.

[@geraldfriend256]

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.

[@Trajan2401]

​​@@geraldfriend256nah the best boxers came before him in the 70s and 80s the golden era of boxers

[@joecool2125]

This one of the best fights of the 90s. Could’ve gone either way.

[@OrdellRob]

Ray Mercer was in the Army so it’s no surprise he was tough as nails.

[@patrickfranco7745]

Mercer one tough Boxer

[@SyeYoung]

Mercer won this one, of the record but they were steadily building Lennox because he was more media friendly...and these clips are a bit manipulative.

[@paulevangeli8499]

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.

[@justinboon3811]

Ray Mercer Fought in some epic fights in the 90s

[@brysonboiyeet]

Lennox was a great fighter but in my opinion ray Mercer won that fight

[@madnessblood92ifg]

i miss when boxing was like this..fighters fought fighters..not like now where they avoid each other and take easy fights

[@dirtyandnasty9011]

Not all of them to be fair. Joshua, Usyk, Zhang, Parker for example would fight anybody.

[@xavierjuno4572]

​@@dirtyandnasty9011Ya but it's a shame the champions don't have the same mindset though

[@NeverSober8008]

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

[@rbernardify]

Hats off to both the boxers, especially Mercer

[@JayYo21]

Why especially to Mercer and not Lennox?

[@sharpgage6512]

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.

[@WildMorgan]

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.

[@Voots7]

If Mercer had head movement.. 💪💪

[@abrahamramirez3980]

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.

[@marlonmagruder4296]

Yeah Holmes schooled Mercer

[@JohnnyButtons]

This was the absolute pinnacle of ‘90s golden age boxing ❤

[@isr3598]

Mercer destroys any idea of the current eras trash.

[@castelnedd]

Ray was one of the most brutal punchers in the heavy weight division. Incredible boxer.

[@thediaz07]

Jesse Ferguson schooled Mercer tho.

[@Real843BabySkii]

⁠@@thediaz07styles makes fights & even then Ferguson isn’t close to the fighter Ray was

[@Real843BabySkii]

Holyfield beat Tyson twice that doesn’t make him better than Mike now does it ?

[@thediaz07]

@@Real843BabySkii once, 2nd fight was a DQ. Also Evander is a dirty fighter..apart from the massive amount of juice he was on he also head-butted Mike like CRAZY ..look up Evander Holyfield Headbutt master...you'll see

[@Real843BabySkii]

@@thediaz07 dawg it was the 90’s … everyone was on juice that’s not an excuse

[@jolwol-p7n]

that ending gave me goosebumps gj

[@mikerigatos2939]

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.

[@redearthpaul178]

Close fight, but lewis threw more variety and definitely landed more power shots. Mercer had a good jab which troubled Lennox for sure.

[@PunchDrunxTake]

You better put some respect on the Gman's name you forgot to mention( trained in kronk)

[@alexyo2440]

Mercer was never knocked out but he was knocked down by Klitschko

[@dirtyandnasty9011]

He was knocked out by Briggs but that was a strange and barely legal ko and they were pretty old in this fight.

[@RyanParfery]

Great champion lennox Lewis

[@donwilson350]

I'll tell you what both fighters thought. They're heart out in that ring but I always believe Ray mercer won the fight and They robbed him

[@johnbuell8035]

“They robbed him” …really?

[@lasanthaperera462]

That was really good fight,Both fight really hard and my opinion is Ray mercer won that fight,by points

[@dirtyandnasty9011]

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.

[@mawande23]

The level of competition Lewis fought is miles ahead of Tyson . He’s the best HW of the 90s, followed by Evander

[@jasonellis9777]

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.

[@dylanburston7453]

@@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.

[@mawande23]

@@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

[@JellaniBellamy-bm6up]

Then why didn't he fight Tyson in his prime. 😮

[@benlittle1717]

Vitali was better then Evander

[@awesomeasever8370]

Ray Mercer won this fight, but the judges gave it to Lewis anyway.

[@brysonboiyeet]

I totally agree !!

[@dirtyandnasty9011]

The punch stats show Lewis did way better. Don't mix up thrown shots with landed shots. And Lewis landed mostly power shots, Mercer mostly jabs, less overall punches for Mercer. Lewis was able to switch to another style on the fly, landed beautiful combinations and mercer's were mostly blocked. I thought that fight was close to a draw the first time i saw it but the more I see it and read the punch stats the more I have to admit the judges were right this time.

[@rogerparker9228]

Most telling shots was by lewis. All the stats point to a lewis win

[@awesomeasever8370]

@@dirtyandnasty9011 You're entitled to your opinion.

[@awesomeasever8370]

@@rogerparker9228 And they're all wrong as far as I'm concerned.

[@deemazoloto1709]

Would be great to see Lewis against prime Vladimir,Ibeabuchi,Mike, healthy Mccall

[@rubenscunha2299]

He was ROBBED against McCall in the first fight. NO DOUBT!!!

[@TheMancunianCandidate]

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.

[@mikem591]

It was Mercer’s night.

[@olakunlepeter-eq1gr]

None of this generation would have survived either of these two. We hardly even witness two heavyweights trading like this nowadays.

[@VaderPopsVicodin10]

Tremendous ending there for Mercer.. your words really gave him the respect he deserves. ✨ All of it is truth, too.

[@shifty277]

Nice little video here I'm 33 and I didnt witnesse this fight growing up so thanks for bringing to my attention

[@budthechud9795]

Lewis got beaten, thought he had lost and looked shocked at getting his hand raised. A minute or two later he is back to his normal cocky self in the post fight interview pretending the fight was not even close the joker🤣

[@optimusprime9721]

That was a bullshit decision.. Either a draw or Mercer should have won

[@deanvoss7098]

Lennox Lewis rarely fought anybody that had a decent jab and when he did it gave him fits but Lennox Lewis still a legend

[@Lespommesdeclifford]

Great fight fair result . Lennox just nicked it .

[@dumpsterchicken6287]

What a war

[@milancoric8787]

I feel Mercer was underrated. His loss to Larry Holmes had a major impact on his career.

[@nightofshanghai]

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.

[@rowlandmak]

Lennox Lewis, Gold medalist in 1988 as a Canadian, where he grew up.

[@Tony-1950]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@stephencook7337]

Christ, those guys have iron chins…

[@marekr.9339]

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.

[@Zlartybartfarst]

One of my favourite fights great match up

[@hottwheels6785]

Lewis one of the goats of this era

[@downtownsportsanatomy1631]

That was a draw

[@laughingbird]

Lenox and Holyfield has no chance against a prime Tyson either.

[@telephonic]

Hahahaha.

[@stewills9711]

One of the best fights of an era, 2 absolute animals going toe to toe. Could have gone either way with no arguments. One thing though, all the gobby current crop claiming to be the best ever, the baddest, the biggest puncher etc etc, non of them, not one, could have beaten either Lewis or Mercer.

[@danfortuna1984]

this channel is so good. i'm a passive boxing fan but i get totally into the lore of these videos. great job

[@jaysita186]

Lennox threw some uppercuts that surely knock out 95% of HW, Mercer just so tough. Amazing that this one gone full distance.

[@RR-xu5xk]

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.

[@mrrich0974]

Both guys 👍🏾👍🏾🔥

[@fabianasensio1168]

God bless him, but to only God goes the glory, who gave Ray the courage and ability.

[@sacredhighway1]

Lewis got him but that fight was one of the greatest of all time

[@williammayer7199]

Great fight, great video

[@tomcarey5156]

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.

[@LaurenceTarei-qj8ph]

There were many like Lewis he was ordinary bei

[@mizofan]

@@LaurenceTarei-qj8ph Utter nonsense.

[@freezhollywood]

Mercer never gotta fair shake in his era. Very weird. Would beat the young n elite guys. But lose to washed up guys.

[@brianc4594]

That was a great fight

[@nukleus-sj9yb]

Awesome fight dude thanks

[@thespy7795]

ANOTHER Top Fighter that Tyson avoided, amongst MANY - Ray Mercer!

[@Benchandbeyond]

Both absolute warriors

[@OriqinLCinema]

Pacquiao’s story with Marquez would be cool to see a series on

[@ericpearson3156]

For all these Tyson loving idiots , look at all these wars Lennox fought against better talent than Tyson would ever match up against. Mercer, Tua , Briggs, Morrison . Including the fact he beat Tyson, Holyfield, Ruddock, Klitchko .The man is one of the greatest heavyweights of all time !!

[@thelive6103]

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.

[@ekpemeisong1331]

Lenox will KO Fury and AJ same night

[@MjBurns88]

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😖😂

[@deanvoss7098]

You didnt see Lennox Lewis begging for a rematch after Mercer busted him up... Lewis was very selective

[@Priceluked]

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.

[@ASKER76]

I see that fight and Mercer sorry"i dont understand i win" what,Did this Man doesnt see his one fightor feel it hmm ,maybe he is Ray Charles like in this fight?But Mercer Was an Bad Puncher,for real!SAVE!

[@seaniesmullen]

no one really knew at the time lennox was all time great ..ray mecer was a real good fighter but didnt have different levels like lennox .he was search and destroy probably from his army time ..lennox had different ways to fight different opponents ..hard close win .unlucky ray.

[@deemazoloto1709]

Worst fight of Lewis along with Klitschko,he avoided punchers after Rahman

[@user-ic7mv6bj4w]

You cannot compare todsys HW fights to the classics. It's hard to watch the fights these days.

[@johnallen7259]

I wonder if Lenix Louis was a Freemason. Cause, if he was that would have explained that decision.

[@stevehughes275]

Lewis could have gone on against Mcall the ref was wrong to stop it but against Rachman that's different

[@paulclark4616]

Had Lewis just edging it - higher skill level too. Great fight by both & fine effort by Mercer.

[@thehonorablejiveturkeyspoo6370]

If I saw this brawl in a bar i wouldnt call the police. I'll order another beer and watch

[@chanimpresario4968]

Lennox is the boxing version of Ryu from Street fight. Shoooòoryuken!

[@grantpitkethley8638]

Ray mercer was hard man..I would have loved to see TUA vs MERCER

[@thediaz07]

Mercer almost beats Lewis yet gets beat by an old Jesse Ferguson twice...

[@rcfaudioitalia6110]

Mercer won that fight. you need to see it full fight, to understand

[@valerym1400]

Lewis's worst nightmare was Vitali Klitschko.

[@MR-bq1cy]

Lewis was so overrated .beat an old Mike Tyson and still acts like he was the best ever

[@erikdirks]

I respect Ray Mercer........and over time, I am glad he whipped the bully Tommy Morrison!