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.”
