Ernesto “Tito” Mercado has taken an unconventional path towards constructing his 13-0 report.
Mercado works and not using a main promoter, which has value the 22-year-old knockout artist the kind of publicity prospects sometimes obtain throughout the developmental part of their careers. The junior welterweight has as an alternative carried out off TV, on playing cards promoted by the corporate owned by his father and coach, Nato, at LumColor Phoenix Middle, a small venue in Ontario, California.
That hasn’t prevented the Pomona, California resident from rising as one of many sport’s prime up-and-comers. Mercado, BoxingScene.com’s “Prospect of the Yr” for 2023, fought 5 instances final yr and dealt with his steps up in competitors magnificently.
The aggressive but poised boxer-puncher started 2023 with a seventh-round knockout of Ecuador’s Jose Angulo (16-7, 9 KOs) on February 4 at LumColor Phoenix Middle. He returned to that venue 10 weeks later and knocked out Hank Lundy (31-14-1, 14 KOs), an aged former contender from Philadelphia, within the first spherical April 15.
Mercado traveled to Managua, Nicaragua for his subsequent struggle July 8 – a 10-round, unanimous-decision victory over skilled South African Xolisani Ndongeni (31-3, 18 KOs).
Ndongeni, who additionally misplaced on factors to unbeaten WBC tremendous light-weight champ Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) throughout Haney’s ascent to stardom, is the one opponent to take Mercado the gap. Mercado dominated the motion, although, and gained 99-91 on all three scorecards.
After returning to Ontario for an additional first-round knockout of Paraguay’s Carlos Portillo (23-5, 17 KOs) on August 26, Mercado delivered his most spectacular efficiency of an energetic, productive yr for a fan-friendly fighter who’s on the verge of changing into a professional 140-pound contender. Mercado wanted lower than two rounds to drop and knock out Namibian veteran Jeremia Nakathila on November 11.
Light-weight contender Raymond Muratalla (19-0, 16 KOs) beforehand stopped Nakathila (23-4, 19 KOs) within the second spherical Could 20 at MGM Grand Backyard Enviornment in Las Vegas, however Mercado’s harmful victory proved that he’s able to struggle 140-pound contenders in 2024. Stuffed with confidence, Mercado, who has knocked out 12 of his 13 skilled opponents, believes he has set himself other than different prospects.
“A number of these guys are keen to win fights comfortably, however I need to go above and past and do extra,” Mercado informed BoxingScene.com in November. “If I needed to examine my boxing and mentality within the ring, I sort of have the mindset of [the late] Edwin Valero just a little bit, that wishes to kill you within the ring and knock your head off. I’m old fashioned. A number of fighters simply need to look fairly within the ring proper now.”
RUNNERS-UP (listed alphabetically)
Adam Azim (10-0, 7 KOs)
A 21-year-old junior welterweight from England, this formidable Brit is already on the cusp of legitimizing himself as a 140-pound contender. The tall, rangy Azim, a boxer-puncher who depends on his pace and sound method, will defend his flippantly regarded EBU title in opposition to Denmark’s Enock Poulsen (14-0, 5 KOs) on February 3 at OVO Enviornment Wembley in London.
Andy Cruz (2-0, 1 KO)
At 28, this Cuban-born Olympic gold medalist is older than another prospect BoxingScene.com thought-about for this yr’s award. After going the 10-round distance with sturdy Mexican Juan Carlos Burgos (35-8-3, 21 KOs) in his professional debut July 15 in Detroit, the sturdy, expert Cruz tore by means of Mexican veteran Jovanni Straffon (26-6-1, 19 KOs) on December 9 in San Francisco. That third-round knockout demonstrated why matchmakers for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing will proceed to be aggressive whereas in search of opponents for Cruz in 2024.
Abdullah Mason (11-0, 9 KOs)
This 19-year-old light-weight from Cleveland has displayed poise past his years since he made his professional debut in November 2021. Mason has proven intelligence and technical talent to enhance his hand pace, energy and athleticism. Matchmakers for Bob Arum’s High Rank Inc. determine to step up this southpaw’s opposition as Mason strikes into eight-rounders in 2024.
Floyd Schofield (16-0, 12 KOs)
A peaceful, calculated mixture puncher, the 21-year-old Schofield has proven energy in each arms and a willingness to put money into physique punching throughout his ascent towards changing into a light-weight contender. The formidable Austin, Texas native went 4-0 combating on Golden Boy Promotions playing cards in 2023 and desires to check himself in opposition to professional 135-pound contenders this yr.
Emiliano Vargas (8-0, 7 KOs)
Promoter High Rank saved the youngest of former junior middleweight champ Fernando Vargas’ three combating sons very energetic in 2023. The 19-year-old Vargas went 6-0, together with 5 knockouts, final yr and frequently displayed the pace and energy which have satisfied his handlers that he’ll turn out to be a light-weight world champion. Like Mason, Las Vegas’ Vargas figures to face extra imposing opponents in 2024, notably as soon as High Rank begins scheduling him in eight-round bouts.
Keith Idec is a senior author/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He may be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
