What's all this talk about Ray Mercer being a limited fighter

[uncle ben]

Everytime talk of Mercers skills come up, someone always accuses him of being a limited fighter that plodded forward in a straight line after his foes.

I seem to remember a Mercer with nimble footwork, a snapping jab and great combinations. Mercer kind of reminds me of Jersey Joe Walcott.

[QueensburyRules]

- -That's the echo in the empty chamber of U duncecap...next...

[ShoulderRoll]

He was kind of basic. But had an elite chin and could ****.

[HOUDINI563]

My God! Mercer was no JJ Walcott. Not in the same universe in terms of skill or style. Walcott was a master boxer with good power in both hands. Mercer could only dream of having a sliver of the abilities Walcott possessed.

[The Old LefHook]

Jersey Joey had deadly cuteness along with one of the best elder physiques ever. At thirty-eight he looked hard as Hagler or Griffith. During his era no one else I can recall had such upper body development. Match that with a pair of dancing bird legs and some boxing genius.

Mercer was basic but could hit with bomb impact. He could also really take a beating and still have enough left to KO an opponent, as demonstrated with Morrison. But he was bird pie for Lennox Lewis.