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Add FightsATW on GoogleIt’s Veterans Day in the United States, and it’s a time when people from various careers show their military pride by posting photos or videos from their time in service. Boxing has had its fair share of veterans, including Ken Norton, Leon Spinks, Hall of Fame referee Mills Lane, and, more recently, Jamel Herring. “Merciless” Ray Mercer (36-7-1, 26 KOs) is an Army veteran, a former WBO heavyweight champion, and a 1988 Olympic gold medalist.
Boxing, like other sports, tends to move quickly beyond those from years past, especially in today’s era of short attention spans. That’s especially true of Mercer, whose impact on boxing is almost forgotten.
Mercer enlisted in the Army in 1980, and two years later he first laced up a pair of boxing gloves. Five years later, Mercer found himself at the Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, where he knocked out every opponent on his way to an Olympic gold medal in the heavyweight division. Mercer served almost 10 years in the Army, but what’s amazing is that, despite the many American heavyweights the sport has seen since then, Mercer remains the last American heavyweight to win an Olympic gold medal.
So on this Veteran’s Day, it was a no-brainer to catch up with Mercer. At 65, Mercer spends his time with his wife and helping the next generation of fighters and trainers get further along. When asked what’s new, Mercer surprised me with something I didn’t know he had in the works.
“[I’ve been] traveling around, with people having me come to their fights and gyms,” Mercer told FightsATW. “Also, trying to train the coaches to teach the fighters. Other things going on, like a lot of Hall of Fames.”
He later added, “I was just in California, and we are doing an avatar documentary about my life. I was in Hollywood, and my wife and I had a great time. I watch a lot of soap operas like The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless, and I got to meet three characters from there. I got a chance to meet them and take pictures with them. The links [to the documentary] will be out soon.”
Speaking with Mercer, you quickly realize he remains a proud veteran and carries that military bearing even now. What is often overlooked is that his father served in the Army as well, so Mercer grew up accustomed to the lifestyle, making his transition to enlisting in the Army seamless. Reflecting on his time in the Army, Mercer paused and then expressed gratitude to the organization he felt directly contributed to the gold medal he received in 1988.
“Accomplishing things with your fellow soldiers means everything,” he said. “You become like a family. Being in for a while and learning the system was great. My father was in the Army for 25 years. I’m an Army brat, so I’m used to the Army. It was good for me. I learned in the Army that you could be anyone you want to be. I did that by becoming a gold medalist. When they [The Army] say, “Be all you can be,” they are talking about me.
“The military is responsible for me becoming a gold medalist. I can tell all these young kids out there that if you have nothing to do after school, the military is where it’s at. You can achieve all your goals there or get a good start.”
As mentioned earlier, Mercer is giving back by being a guest at the “NYC Collegiate Military Boxing Classic” on November 14 in New York City. Mercer, alongside “Irish” Micky Ward, will be an honored guest, and it’s the type of event Mercer is proud to be part of. As the event’s press release reads, “Cadets and midshipmen from six service academies and senior military colleges meet at the inaugural NYC Collegiate Military Boxing Classic.”
Although Mercer hasn’t been asked to, if he had the opportunity to gather all the fighters before the event and deliver one message, what would it be? “I would tell them that this event will be an experience that you will always talk about in your life, so make it a great one by going out there and performing for your branch of service. This is really special. Go in there and don’t leave nothing behind.”
And for those wondering whether life after boxing has treated Mercer well, he simply ended the conversation by saying, “Enjoy life because I am.”
The NYC Collegiate Military Boxing Classic will stream live on pay-per-view at millions.co.
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