UNBEATEN knockout artist Ernesto Mercado looks to make his mark at super lightweight as he gears up to face two-division titlist Jose Pedraza.
The ferocious puncher has already amassed stoppage victories over the likes of Jeremia Nakathila and Henry Lundy – two seasoned operators – ahead of what promises to be the toughest test of his professional career.
But still, the explosive 23-year-old has only now been presented with the opportunity to shine in front of a sizable audience, with his long awaited Matchroom debut finally taking place this Saturday.
Mercado, 16-0 (15 KOs), was supposed to feature on the undercard of Jaron Ennis vs Karen Chukhadzhian last November, before his opponent came in 7 lbs over the super lightweight limit.
‘Tito’, however, was then moved to Matchroom’s first US show of 2025, and will instead square off against a far more credible combatant on the undercard of Diego Pacheco vs Steven Nelson.
In that sense, the opportunity to showcase his skills in Las Vegas, Nevada, has seemingly arrived at the perfect time, with Pedraza, 29-6-1 (14 KOs), expected to provide the rising star with plenty of resistance.
The 35-year-old has, after all, only ever lost at the elite level of his sport, possessing an invaluable degree of experience that could pose several challenges for Mercado.
While he is perhaps best known for his defeats to pound-for-pound stars Gervonta Davis and Vasyl Lomachenko, Pedraza has since been involved in a series of competitive battles with the likes of Arnold Barboza Jr and Jose Ramirez, often falling short by the finest of margins.
His outing, though, ended in far more devastating fashion, with highly-touted contender Keyshawn Davis producing a stunning sixth-round finish over the wily veteran.
And yet, given the phenomenal run of performances from Davis in recent years, it could still be said that Pedraza, while no longer in his prime, remains a serviceable gatekeeper for any prospect looking to reach world honours.
So while Mercado will be gleaming with confidence after ending all but one of his fights inside the distance, the talented wrecking machine may be forced to settle with a victory on points against the Puerto Rican, adapting to his opponent’s style through ten educational rounds.
That said, the Californian is nonetheless set to captivate fans with his dynamic style, always creating angles with his sharp feet before landing a spiteful combination.
