Think James Toney is the only aging pugilist worthy of news in MMA circles? Don't forget about Ray Mercer.
MMA Fighting reports that "Merciless" is set to return to the cage for his sophomore effort against undefeated fighter Ron Sparks on April 16 at a King of the Cage event from Detroit, Michigan.
The card is expected to be headlined by a match up featuring Jeremy Horn and Jake Rosholt.
The 1988 gold medalist and owner of a 36-7 record as a heavyweight boxer, Mercer of course made his official mixed martial arts debut last summer at Adrenaline MMA 3 when he infamously knocked out former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia in nine seconds.
Prior to his bout with "The Maniac," Ray faced off with none other than Kimbo Slice in an exhibition bout in 2007 in which the TUF 10 poster boy disposed of the 48 year-old via guillotine choke in 72 seconds.
Mercer's opponent, Ron "The Monster" Sparks, carries a 5-0 record while standing 6'5" and weighing in at 285 lbs.
Four of Sparks' five victories have ended via KO or TKO in 70 seconds or less. And with Mercer's well-known background in boxing, you can bet that this contest won't see much action on the ground.
The King of the Cage event will air live on HDNet on April 16 from Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
With "Lights Out" expected to make his Octagon debut sometime this summer and Mercer's scheduled bout in April, two over-the-hill, former boxers will be making MMA headlines in the near future whether we like it or not.
So with this influx of aging practitioners of the "sweet science," who's the next past-his-prime boxer to make the jump to the cage?
Any takers on Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton?