Ray Mercer won the vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title in May 1990 over Kimmuel Odum. He won the NABF heavyweight title by defeating Bert Cooper in 1990 and won the WBO heavyweight title by beating Francesco Damiani in 1991. Mercer suffered his first loss to Larry Holmes in 1992 to bring his record to 18-1. During his MMA career he upset UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia with a one punch knockout in 2009.