Philippines, 29 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Ernesto “Tito” Mercado has Big Plans to Wreck Everyone in the Lightweight Division

PhilBoxing.com




POMONA, CA (October 4, 2022) – 20-year-old undefeated blue-chip prospect, lightweight Ernesto "Tito" Mercado (7-0, 7 KOs), who’s won all seven of his professional bouts by knockout and was a 2020 Olympic Trials Silver Medalist, wants to put every fighter in the lightweight division on notice.

Born and raised in Pomona, California, Tito is one of the most dynamic power punchers in the red-hot lightweight division. His message to the lightweight division is simple, he wants all the smoke.

"I’m letting it be known that I’m coming for everyone’s head in the lightweight division,” said “Tito” Mercado, who stands 5′ 10″, and has immense power in both hands. “Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, Shakur Stevenson, are all great fighters, but stylistically, I believe in my heart that they can’t match up with me. My power in the pros is on another level, and that’s what separates me from all of them. I had just as many amateur fights as all of them, if not more, so my ring IQ is there as well.”

Four lightweights, in addition to Garcia who just moved up to super lightweight, made ESPN's top 25 Fighters Under 25-years-old list, making the division the most prominent in boxing.

"If I grouped up with a bunch of famous fighters and made friends with them, I am sure I would be on the list, but that's not my style," said Mercado with a laugh. "I know that boxing is mostly political, and it's my job to deliver amazing highlight-reel performances, time and time again, to get the recognition of the media. I must say I have a chip on my shoulder and I’m going to prove to the world that I’m the best rising star in the sport. I will be on the list soon, and everyone will recognize.”

Top prospect, Keyshawn Davis (5-0, 4 KOs), who has a common opponent with Mercado in Jose Zaragoza, is getting a lot of attention coming out of the Olympics. Mercado gives his thoughts on that matchup and Davis as a fighter.

“Keyshawn Davis is considered one of the top prospects in boxing, but he’s 23,” said Tito, who at age 20 is wrecking everyone he’s faced as a pro. “At my age, I’m doing more than him and knocked out Zaragoza faster then he did. I’ve only gone to the second round in three fights and won every fight I have had by knockout. I have yet to enter the third round which says a lot. I’m a humble person by nature, but If I don’t speak my mind, then I will go unnoticed. Everyone loves a knockout artist, and that’s exactly what I am, a true finisher.”

"I am not trying to be friends with other fighters, I don't want to know these people” concluded Mercado. “I want to be feared. Because of that, I suppose I won't make these lists until I'm on television, as I'm not trying to socialize with fighters I'm going to take out. I am trying to be the best fighter in the world. The generation I was born in has a lot of soft fighters, who want to call all these people in their weight class 'brother', instead of saying 'I want to fight you!' So, it will take longer for me to get credit because a lot of people don't understand me in this era. I’m a throwback fighter.”




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Filipino Jonas Magpantay wins Indonesia; pockets $15,000, gains steam heading to Vietnam
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026
  • Ex-kickboxer to debut in MMA Slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026
  • Deaño settles to a draw
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • Abdyrakhmanov defeats Kadiev, Kudryashov knocks out Yousefi at IBA Bare Knuckle 5 in Moscow
    , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • WBC declares German Agit Kabayel new WBC heavyweight champion after Usyk relinquishes his title
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • 4th Gov. RST MMA Slugfest on July 3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • Chezka Centeno ready for world 10-ball title defense
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis: Breakout Moment in Brooklyn
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • GAB Must Look Into Exploitation of Rated Filipino Fighters in Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • TITLE FIGHT ON: Zayas and "Boots" Ennis Hit the Scales for Brooklyn Super-Welterweight Showdown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • USC's Galen Center confirmed as Martinez-Plantic, Lopez-Carrillo venue August 29, live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • July 4: Albert Bell Steps In to Challenge Abdullah Mason in All-Ohio WBO Lightweight World Title Showdown at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center LIVE on TNT and DAZN
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Zamboanga relinquishes her ONE Women’s title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Top-ranked Charly Suarez facing Manuel Avila, plus two more fights added to July 18 ProBoxTV event
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Yanon fights Kaji in Tokyo on July 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Preparations underway for 2026 IBA men’s divisional continental championships
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Highland Boxing Promotions Presents "Warrior Showdown" in Bangkok on June 27
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Usyk reportedly considering retirement but could face Kabayel before the year ends
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Luke Littler and Ben Whittaker join forces as Matchroom Sport takes over New York City
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • IOC Announces $10,000 'Fit for the Future' Grant for All Qualifying Olympians, Including Boxers
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Boxers did it first: IBA President welcomes IOC’s decision on allocating funds among athletes
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • PH national now ready for Asia-Oceania Sambo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • UFC TITLE CHALLENGER IAN MACHADO GARRY JOINS MATCHROOM TALENT AGENCY AS EDDIE HEARN LAUDS 'SUPERSTAR' SIGNING
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Fathers in the boxing world
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan arrive for Asia & Oceania Sambo Tournament
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.