Exclusive Interview: Ray Mercer

By Percy Crawford

01/11/2006

Exclusive Interview: Ray Mercer

"I’m trying to get into this Superfighter thing."

PC: What’s good Ray? How has everything been going?

RM: It’s been going slow. After the Shannon Briggs fight, it’s been slow. It’s been tough getting back into it.

PC: You have a fight coming up in December. Have you started training for that fight yet?

RM: Yeah, that’s why I’m out here in Atlantic City. I’m out here training with Matt Howard.

PC: You are now 45 years old and have pretty much fought everyone out there. How much longer do you see yourself boxing?

RM: Not too much longer (laughing). My body and my mind make me go on right now.

PC: When you’re done boxing, will you become a trainer or something to stay involved with the sport?

RM: Of course. I would try to help train kids.

PC: It’s been over a year since you fought. What have you been doing to stay busy?

RM: I’ve been running every now and then. I haven’t been training the whole time, but I’ve been keeping my weight down. I’ve been trying to eat right and play basketball, a lot of exercising. I haven’t just been lying around.

PC: What’s your take on the heavyweight division right now?

RM: I think its real bad. I think its real bad that there are no champions from the states. It’s like the US basketball team going over there and can’t win. That’s bad.

PC: You’ve fought some current champions as well as contenders. Who stands out in the heavyweight division in your opinion?

RM: Who stands out to me? Uh, I would have to say Klitschko. That’s a fight I would love to have back. He’s a solid champion. I think all of them are solid champions, but Klitschko is the one that sticks out to me the most.

PC: What do you think it is that the current crop of heavyweight’s lack that doesn’t draw the attention the division use to?

RM: I don’t know. It puzzles me how things have changed. I don’t know what happened. I know we have good trainers. In this business, money talks, so maybe it’s the money.

PC: Evander Holyfield is set to fight Fres Oquendo in November. Do you see any reason Evander shouldn’t be fighting?

RM: None at all. I think it’s a man’s choice on how he chooses to make a living. If that’s what he wants to do to make a living and he wants to keep doing it, he should. I think as long as he keeps passing his medicals, why not? I don’t think they should go by how many fights he’s lost. They have guys out there that have lost 10 fights in a row, but since he doesn’t have a big name, they don’t bother him about his license. It’s almost like you have haters out there that don’t want to see you make money.

PC: Your last loss came against Shannon Briggs. Do you think he’s capable of capturing the title this weekend?

RM: I think he’s very well capable. He’s a big strong guy. I think he could do it against the guy he’s fighting. I think he could definitely do it.

PC: You bring so much heart and determination to the ring. Is there anyone in any division that reminds you of yourself?

RM: Samuel Peter a little bit. The guy Mayweather is getting ready to fight, Baldomir.

PC: What’s your take on the Mayweather/Baldomir fight?

RM: I see Mayweather winning it with his speed.

PC: Wladimir is getting ready to take on Calvin Brock. What are your thoughts on that fight?

RM: I have to go with Klitschko. I think Brock is too slow for him. He’s not aggressive enough either.

PC: What else is going on with you?

RM: I’m trying to get into this Superfighter thing. I’m trying to get into that thing. I think it’s a great setting. It gives the fighters a chance to make money and I think it’s great.

PC: It was a pleasure speaking with you. I appreciate your time.

RM: Anytime brother.

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