Mercado (18-0, 17 KOs) recently parted ways with Matchroom Boxing and remains one of the more dangerous free agents in boxing. The unbeaten puncher says promoters have been calling steadily, but he is still searching for the right fit while trying to land the kind of career-changing fight that could move him into the upper tier at junior welterweight.
The problem for Mercado is that he currently falls into the high-risk, low-reward category. Fighters with bigger commercial positions have little reason to face him without major financial backing from projects like Riyadh Season or potentially Zuffa Boxing if the company becomes more aggressive in boxing.
Mercado made it clear he believes Keyshawn is one of the fights that should happen next.
“I think Keyshawn Davis, you know, he’s not a world champion. I think we both on the same. I think as far as positioning in the 140. I think we both in the same kind of spot,” said Mercado to Brian Custer’s channel.
“Me and him just had beef since the Olympic trials. I was supposed to get my box off with him. Never had that. So, I kind of hold it personal to him.”
“I wanted to get my get back. And what better way to take his own in the professional rankings?”
“He’s a good fighter, man. But we shared the ring for a quick drill or two. He tried to get cute. I touched him with a shot. I saw his eyes get real big.”
“I just can’t wait to go there and expose him. That little act that he’s doing right now, man, that ain’t real.”
Mercado also dismissed Martin as a serious threat and suggested several fighters have quietly turned down opportunities to fight him.
“Frank Martin is not on my level. I find that disrespectful that people even put him in the same category as me,” said Mercado.
“A lot of these top guys that are your favorites, they’re dodging me, man.”
“One of the top guys, the most recent one, Barboza, he ducked my fight. They called me to fight him. I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ Never nothing back.”
“Same thing like Frank Martin. I think all these guys think that I’m bluffing or something and when I really go and tell them I’m accepting the fight, they just ghost.”
Mercado also called for a future fight with Stevenson, while acknowledging the business side may prevent it from happening immediately.
“I think Shakur is a great fighter,” said Ernesto.
“People like, ‘Oh, you got to deal with his defense.’ Boom. He got to deal with me. I could pop too, and I could box.”
“I fought styles like that many times in the amateurs, and I had no problem with them.”
“I just need the opportunity to go and show it and take him out.”
Mercado is still waiting for the kind of promotional push that can open those doors. Without major financial backing behind him, the fighters he is targeting may continue viewing him as a dangerous risk without enough reward attached to the fight.
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