|
I don't remember to what extent but I do remember reading that Ray Mercer has some type of amateur wrestling background. That was probably a LONG time ago.
I'm sure both guys are being trained on the ground, but that doesn't mean the fight is ever going to end up there. Some guys are just never comfortable going to the ground no matter how much training they have had there. I have a feeling this will be the case in this fight.
I like Kimbo and I enjoy watching his fights, but I believe his punching power is way overrated. I have never seen one of his fights end on a KO where he just puts a guy to sleep. They usually end on an accumulation of punches and outright fatigue, and that is against total stiffs. Imagine for a second if you had a guy with the concussive power of a Paul Buentello or a Tank Abbot hitting one of Kimbo's opponents with a bare knuckle shot. Do you honestly think they would've woken up yet?
That being said, this isn't the Ray Mercer of even a few years ago. He is 47 and looks to be losing the iron chin he once had. His last couple of boxing fights he hasn't looked good, including getting KO'd his last fight against Shannon Briggs back in 2005, and in his K 1 fight against Remy Bonjasky he took one kick and called it a night. He could still easily drop Kimbo if he connects but time is really catching up with him.
I'm excited to see the fight but both guys are too much of an unknown to make a good prediction. I just hope it is an exciting fight and doesn't give MMA critics an embarrassment to point to.
|