Merciless Ray Mercer is one of my favorite boxers. One of my first memories of him was from the Seoul olympics, standing on the podium with his gold medal in his TEEF, representing for the USA. Mercer was an Army man, like my dad, and I took special pride in his victory because of that.

I remember when he went pro… I remember him dismantling heavyweights in brutal fashion. His knockout of Morrison was one of the most awesome destructions of a heavyweight ever. Morrison was trying to fall and Mercer literally lifted him up back up with punches, preventing him from hitting the mat.

Along with his punishing style, I liked Mercer’s attitude. He seemed like a straight up guy. I like the military. I grew up on military bases. I hung around with military people. He wasn’t for everyone, but I was comfortable with his blue collar style.

Fast forward to 2009.

Times aren’t always easy for an aging heavyweight champ. Mercer had already suffered one humliating loss to Kevin “Kimbo” Ferguson. Although he and Kimbo had agreed to step in the cage and trade punches, as soon as the bell rang, Kimbo immediately tried to take Mercer down. One of the last things to go on a heavyweight is his power. You can get old as fuck, but if you are a boxer who can punch, that punch will stay with you till the end.

Unfortunately, Mercer never got the chance. Kimbo took him down, beat him on the ground, and in the minds of most, Ray’s legacy as an MMA can was begun.

Enter Tim “Tastes like pee pee” Sylvia.

Following a series of boring fights and a knockout loss to Fedor, the former UFC Heavyweight champion decides that he is going to pursue a career in Boxing. Apparently, Tim doesn’t understand that the level of hands in Boxing is exponentially greater than anything that he’s ever seen in MMA.

MMA striking is completely different than boxing. In MMA, the threat of a takedown completely alters the way you throw strikes. The threat of a kick changes how you attack. The ability to defend takedowns and kicks makes MMA striking a different sport altogether. Unfortunately, Big Tim drank the kool aid that MMA > Boxing, therefore, he could enter the world of Boxing and do some damage.

As Tim would soon find out, you don’t drink kool aid in front of Ray Mercer and not offer him some.

Enter the press conference. No one ever accused Tim of being a smart man, but you don’t have to be an asshole. He says, “It’s no secret that I’m going to use Ray Mercer as a stepping stone.” Seriously? First off, Ray is 48 years old, and you are 33. Talking shit to the elderly is not cool. Not showing respect for a former champ is not cool. And not showing respect to an Olympic Gold Medal Winner is not cool.

Mercer has done more than you ever will Tim. You might beat him. But you have every advantage. Show respect. But no, Tim has to play the douche for all its worth. Witness the pre-fight press conference:

Unlike Tim, Jens Pulver knows something about Boxing. With 5 pro fights, Jens has been in the squared circle, and he understands that there are fundamental differences between the two sports. While most of the MMA world (read: the UG) believes that Mercer will be destroyed, a quiet contingent of pro fighters and old school boxing enthusiasts are not so sure… Jens Pulver, always a straight shooter, speaks the truth when asked:

The night of the fight. Sylvia and Mercer have a gentleman’s agreement to just box. Both of them had been expecting a boxing match. Mercer had trained for a boxing match. But two days before the fight, the commission informs the promotion that the fight would be illegal, so they have to change it to MMA.

The warrior that he is, Mercer agrees to the rule change. But, he reaches an agreement with Sylvia that it will be boxing. Of course, Tim doesn’t honor that agreement. As soon as he steps into the cage, he throws a kick. When the video starts, Mercer is looking at him like, ‘WTF BITCH?! You said it was going to be boxing, and now you kicking me like a BIIAATCH?!! OH HELLS NO!!!”

He then proceeds to cut through Tims bitch ass pawing jap and land the overhand RIGHT straight across Timmeh’s JAW. TIIIMMMMMBEEEERRR!!!!

And the best part of it all. The post fight interview. My god, I could watch this over and over. I beat dat ass. I whupped dat ass. I need money… so we knocked that nigga OUT!!!

Merciless Ray Mercer… Legend.