Light welterweight contender Ernesto “Tito” Mercado will remain on Saturday night’s card after Roger Hilley was brought in as a last-minute replacement for Emmanuel Tagoe, who weighed approximately ten pounds over the contracted 140-pound limit.
Mercado meets Hilley in a ten-round bout at a 146-pound catchweight in the DAZN co-main event at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The switch salvages Mercado’s appearance after Tagoe weighed 150 pounds on Friday.
Salita Promotions confirmed the change Friday afternoon.
Hilley, 32, receives an unexpected opportunity against Mercado with barely a day to prepare. Mercado faces his own adjustment after spending his entire training camp preparing for Tagoe, a former world title challenger with far more experience at the top level.
The 14-1 Hilley hasn’t been particularly active recently, fighting only twice since May 2023. His best recent test came against highly regarded lightweight Joshua Pagan in May 2024. Hilley went the full eight rounds but lost every round on all three scorecards, 78-74.
Pagan gave Hilley useful experience against a quality young fighter, but Mercado presents a much different threat. Mercado is a bigger puncher and has been campaigning at light welterweight, while much of Hilley’s career has been spent around lightweight.
Hilley returned from the Pagan defeat in September 2025 and stopped Jerome Rodriguez in 54 seconds. He hasn’t faced anyone approaching Mercado’s level during his professional career.
The 146-pound catchweight keeps Mercado on the card while giving Hilley a realistic chance to take the assignment without making a severe overnight cut.
Mercado’s original test disappeared at Friday’s weigh-in. Against a replacement coming in with almost no preparation, anything less than a decisive performance would be a disappointment.
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Last Updated on 2026/08/14 at 9:01 PM
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