BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR... IT JUST MIGHT COME TRUE
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For Ray Mercer, his wish has come true.  As it turns out, his wish was not really a wish after all, just a bunch of lip service.

"Kiev me a break!" exclaimed Mercer.  "Those phony-baloney Klitschkos are squawking about fighting the best to prove they are the best, but clearly they aren't 'Russian' to prove that point against me.  As to my 'lack of popularity' in Europe, I'm sure that's true.  Chris Byrd wasn't very popular there either after he knocked out Vitali Klitschko.  I'm sure my popularity will diminish too after I knock Vitali out of the ring."

These were the words out of Mercer's mouth back in May:  "Hell, I'll take them both on - in any order and on the same night.''  Pretty tough and degrading words.  I'd even say fighting words if I'd did not know better.

For the record, the Klitschko's are not Russian they are Ukrainian.  I don't think Mercer would appreciate the Klitschko's calling him Nigerian. 

Back in May, when Mercer was asked who he wanted to fight next, he said ``Klitschko.''  And he didn't care which one.  Lip service.

I will also go on the record in saying Mercer cannot and will not ever beat Wladimir Klitschko.

Initially, the Klitschko camp responded by saying Mercer was not a worthy challenger and needed to fight and beat a contender before they would be interested.  However, as time passed, the Klitschko camp agreed to a fight with Mercer.  The fight was even scheduled in the U.S., New York to be exact.

Wladimir agreed to defend his WBO heavyweight title against Mercer on Dec. 1.

Now what?  Mercer talked a whole lot of trash, disrespected the Klitschko brothers and now is presented with a contract obligation.  Mercer had no choice but to sign or face looking like a complete idiot to the boxing public.  It's a good thing he wore a shirt to the signing or we may have noticed a slight yellow streak on his back.

Somehow I get the feeling it was Vitali he really wanted to fight.  Mercer referred to Vitali being knocked out by Chris Byrd and even said he would knock him out of the ring.  But now that Wladimir stepped up to the challenge, it seems Mercer is having second thoughts.

The signing of this fight must have put a lot of thought into the mind of Mercer and his management team.  Questions must have arose.  Is Mercer ready to fight a real fighter?  Is Mercer really as good as the bum opponents have made him look?  Unsure, team Mercer elects to have a 'tune-up fight' before the Klitschko showdown.

Most of us would say taking a fight before a championship opportunity is downright stupid.  But in this case it was brilliantly smart.  You see, if Mercer looks sharp and focused, you continue with the plans to fight for the championship.  On the other hand, if Mercer falters, then the old 'injury' plan goes into effect.

The latter took place.

A cut suffered by Mercer in his tune-up fight was initially diagnosed by Mat Tinley of America Presents to be small and beside the eye, not above it.  Just maybe, realizing this can be the way out of the fight against Wladimir, the cut somehow became deep, ugly and disabling.

Thus, the excuse used to bail out of the Dec. 1 fight against Wladimir.

Klaus-Peter Kohl, promoter for the Klitschko brothers, was not amused.

"It was really unprofessional for Ray Mercer to accept a tune-up fight even though he was scheduled to challenge Wladimir Klitschko on December 1", an annoyed Kohl said.  "And he even took serious punches from the dud he was fighting.  In round one Mercer was even on the verge of a knockout defeat.  He should better listen to my advice and have some more tune-up fights now before reaching out for a world title."

Now, either Nigerian David Izon or South African born Francois Botha will challenge the 25-year-old Klitschko in his third defense of the WBO heavyweight world title.

Sometimes it is better to shut your mouth and be thought of a fool then speak and have all doubt removed.

As far as a future fight between a Klitschko brother and Mercer... Well, don't hold your breath.

-Blackbull-    blackbull@insideboxing.com

October 23, 2001