How far can Mercado go ?

[Evander]

Let's do the next 24 months
Where do you see Ernesto Mercado's career going in say the next 2 years ?
Who do you want him to fight ?
https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/872402

Ernesto Mercado 18-0, 17 KO's
Super Lightweight/Jr Welterweight, he's in the 140 region.
Decent amateur career.
He looks like an exciting prospect and one to keep an eye on, he looked really good tonight.

What you thinking ?

[Evander]

Arthur Biyarslanov
20-0, 16 KO's
Super Lightweight

[gregregegg]

I wasn’t super impressed, not like coms were. Though he lacked a bit of power and was quite hitable…

Honestly the last two fights he has had were fine but he should have had at least 4 of them 2025…

I think kambo, Sandor, prograss, Cruz, puello, paro… those are the type of guys he should be looking to mix it with 2026 if he is the real deal… (although I’m not opposed to another year bellow that levle if he stays nice and active.)…

[Evander]

No, not for you.
I thought he looked good.
Dare I say shades of Roy.
Left hook, footwork, speed and timing.
Come on now

[Evander]

I think he needs a 2 fight minimum and another look at that point.

[gregregegg]

No, not for you.
I thought he looked good.
Dare I say shades of Roy.
Left hook, footwork, speed and timing.
Come on now

I feel his best shot was The long strait arm counter left hook is a shot that always looks great at c levle… it rarely continues to to work through the levles…

I don’t think he is shit… and at 24 can spend another year or 2 working through the levles. I just don’t see him troubling those top guys.

[Evander]

Lets see what happens during the ups and downs
He's due an uptick in his fight schedule

[gilgamesh]

He looked sharp. I hope he's able to step in there with the bigger names sooner than later, and we can see where he really stands. The fighter I saw looks like he'd be competitive with most people at that weight class, and he should still be improving.

[Evander]

Considering where Ernesto is now.
If he goes head on into the Jr Welterweight division, I'd think it risky.
His numbers and physicals are good
A guide might be in his best interests because there are snipers that could upset him in a one off.

[Evander]

He might need a few more rounds

[Evander]

Puello looks the best of them

[Evander]

Look at the 140's
It's a competitive division for Mercado

Subriel Matias
Alberto Puello
Keyshawn Davis
Dalton Smith
Richardson Hitchens
Adam Azim
Arnold Barboza Jr
Gary Autuanne Russell
Sandor Martin

It's never an easy route through the lighter weight classes, you don't get many passes here.

Hitchens v Davis is in the offing now

[Evander]

Keyshawn is evaluating things and putting it in order, really good boxer I hope it goes well for him
He get's it together and it's on at 140

[Evander]

How about Ernesto Mercado v Adam Azim
18-0 v 14-0
Down the road
Or now

[Evander]

Thought I heard Northern Cali had a solid stable of boxers ready to go
Mercado is still sitting there

[Taansend]

They are missing out by having his nickname as Tito instead of Super

[Evander]

Looks like Mercado maybe boxing Frank Martin next

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Evander]

He hasn't fought anyone since December last year 2025.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tito Mercado, now a free agent, takes his pick of boxing's power brokers

Ernesto “Tito” Mercado couldn’t have timed his entry into boxing’s free agent market much better. The 24-year-old lightweight prospect is 18-0 with 17 knockouts, and with his Matchroom contract expired, several of the sport’s most powerful promoters are now vying to sign him.

With the arrival of Zuffa Boxing and shifting alliances involving Top Rank, Golden Boy and streaming partner DAZN, Mercado recently revealed his contract with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing has expired, making him one of the more attractive young free agents on the market.

“Multiple people – the biggest powerhouses who control boxing – have been reaching out,” Mercado’s father/trainer Ernesto Snr told Boxing Scene. “I’ve been so flattered how highly they think of my son, and how they think Tito is on the verge of becoming a world champion.

“It’s no secret Tito is getting close to his prime. We’re entertaining all reasonable offers and in the process of getting something done and getting Tito back in the ring with a very respectable opponent,” in the summer.

A clear ‘A’ side blue-chipper raised through a distinguished amateur career, Tito Mercado last fought in December, furthering his reputation as a destructive puncher capable of quick finishes by knocking out Mexico’s Antonio Moran in the sixth round.

“My record speaks for itself. I’ve got a lot of fighters spooked, and most of my fights are over in the first half,” Tito Mercado said. “These guys know who they’re stepping in with, and I always talk the talk and walk the walk.”

Thirteen of Tito Mercado’s fights have been over by the end of the third round.

“My strength is a great attribute. Once I touch someone, they fall, but my boxing is good and getting that right opponent would bring out the best.”

So he’s remained in the gym during this limbo period, sharpening the skills that will prepare him for the expected ascent in competition, with his father assessing a title shot could be two or three fights away.

And that includes a fierce focus on the gifted four-division champion Stevenson, 25-0 (11 KOs), who just finished routing none other than two-division champion Teofimo Lopez on January 31.

“I know Shakur is shaking in his boots right now because he knows I’m coming after him,” Tito Mercado said. Then, you’ve got Hitchins, who’s holding the IBF. I’m coming for these guys and whether I get them next, I’m coming for them. I stay active, I’m ready now.”

What is the vulnerability he sees in Stevenson that no one else has exposed?

“A lot of things. I just need to be myself,” Tito Mercado said.”A lot of fighters custom make their styles to him. I beat a lot of guys like him in the amateurs, and every time I go back and forth with him, it seems he has words for everybody, except for me. It shows where he is.”

Tito Mercado is relishing listening to the pitches by promoters laying out their plans for his bright future.

“There’s no such thing as, ‘We can’t make this fight happen.’ That’s the most exciting thing about it,” he said. “Obviously, you’ve got a lot of players like [Saudi Arabia boxing financier] Turki [Alalshikh] who can make these fights happen. It’s so exciting to go after these fights I’ve been barking for, and exciting to hear from these promoters who can do these fights for us.”

Mercado said he believes it’s all falling into place for him.

For now, as the promoters start filing their 2026 schedules and seek new talent, the elder Mercado said he’s “playing it by ear” and “going with the flow” by keeping Tito ready to fight.

“I just know everything’s going to work out,” he said. “Opportunity will come, [the right opponent] will come, and we’ll shut them out like we always do.”

[Taansend]

He needs a proper test soon.

Who's out there? A final eliminator with Adam Azim?

[Evander]

Azim v Mercado
Where and when let's go

[Evander]

His guy got beat up by Adames in Saudi

[Evander]

Super Lightweight has so many good fights that could be made.
Just look at the division, it's packed with entertaining bouts.
Decent boxing level collectively too.

19-0 now lets see what happens with him

[Evander]

On pace for two fights a year.
Can't say I was overly impressed with the Burgos win.
Mercado was stationary and didn't have a kick to his punch.