Bernardo Mercado vs John Tate & Mike Weaver
Posted: 31 Aug 2017, 17:13
Bernardo Mercado was seen by many as a sure bet to get a shot at the WBC heavyweight title as he was a big puncher from Columbia promoted by Don King. Unfortunately, for Bernardo, every time that he got close to a title opportunity he was derailed by an unfortunate loss that knocked him out of consideration.
The first such occasion was when the then-highly rated by the WBC Mercado was 20-0 & matched with the 12-0 1976 Olympic bronze medalist "Big" John Tate in a crossroads bout held in MSG on 6/22/78. It was supposed to be a competitive contest but Tate shocked many with an easy 2 round TKO victory. Then, looking to rebound with a win over the well traveled Southern California journeyman Mike Weaver ( 15-8 ) in Reno, NV on 10/22/78 Mercado was again stopped, this time in 5 rounds. A victory which put Weaver in the 'BC's ratings for the first time which eventually led him to an improbable title shot at champion Larry Holmes the following June.
Mercado rebounded with several wins culminating with an upset KO of perennial top contender Earnie Shavers which put him in the top spot of the WBC ratings. But, rather than getting an immediate title opportunity an elimination match between Mercado & former world champion Leon Spinks was ordered on October 2 of 1980. It was the chief undercard bout to Holmes's defeat of Muhammad Ali.
Mercado was again favored to win as his size & power appeared to be too much for the comparatively diminutive Spinks but, in what may have been the final truly world class effort of Leon's career he rallied to stop the hulking Mercado with volumes of punches in the 9th round. Leaving Mercado with just one final opportunity to get that elusive shot at Larry Holmes.
That being during an 11/6/81 match with Randall "Tex" Cobb with the winner scheduled to receive a title shot the following year. Again, Mercado allowed himself to be out-hustled over 10 rounds & dropped a decision over to 10 rounds.
Although Bernardo won a sporadic six matches over second & third rate opposition over the next several years his days as a contender were over & a final loss via first round KO to Jimmy Thunder ended his career in 1989.
The point of my rehashing his run as a contender was to get any info that others may have regarding his losses to John Tate & Mike Weaver. I know next to nothing about how those fights transpired & would love to hear any details that anyone out there may have. Neither fight was filmed to my knowledge & as I recall it, the magazines offered little more than the result as far as coverage goes. Can anyone help?
The first such occasion was when the then-highly rated by the WBC Mercado was 20-0 & matched with the 12-0 1976 Olympic bronze medalist "Big" John Tate in a crossroads bout held in MSG on 6/22/78. It was supposed to be a competitive contest but Tate shocked many with an easy 2 round TKO victory. Then, looking to rebound with a win over the well traveled Southern California journeyman Mike Weaver ( 15-8 ) in Reno, NV on 10/22/78 Mercado was again stopped, this time in 5 rounds. A victory which put Weaver in the 'BC's ratings for the first time which eventually led him to an improbable title shot at champion Larry Holmes the following June.
Mercado rebounded with several wins culminating with an upset KO of perennial top contender Earnie Shavers which put him in the top spot of the WBC ratings. But, rather than getting an immediate title opportunity an elimination match between Mercado & former world champion Leon Spinks was ordered on October 2 of 1980. It was the chief undercard bout to Holmes's defeat of Muhammad Ali.
Mercado was again favored to win as his size & power appeared to be too much for the comparatively diminutive Spinks but, in what may have been the final truly world class effort of Leon's career he rallied to stop the hulking Mercado with volumes of punches in the 9th round. Leaving Mercado with just one final opportunity to get that elusive shot at Larry Holmes.
That being during an 11/6/81 match with Randall "Tex" Cobb with the winner scheduled to receive a title shot the following year. Again, Mercado allowed himself to be out-hustled over 10 rounds & dropped a decision over to 10 rounds.
Although Bernardo won a sporadic six matches over second & third rate opposition over the next several years his days as a contender were over & a final loss via first round KO to Jimmy Thunder ended his career in 1989.
The point of my rehashing his run as a contender was to get any info that others may have regarding his losses to John Tate & Mike Weaver. I know next to nothing about how those fights transpired & would love to hear any details that anyone out there may have. Neither fight was filmed to my knowledge & as I recall it, the magazines offered little more than the result as far as coverage goes. Can anyone help?