Ernesto "Tito" Mercado, a 23-year-old junior welterweight prospect, has been making waves in the boxing world with his impressive performances and rapid rise through the ranks. After making his professional debut in 2021, Mercado has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, defeating a series of reputable opponents and earning the title of BoxingScene's 2023 Prospect of the Year.

Destined for Greatness: Mercado's Meteoric Rise

Dominating the Small Halls

Mercado's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Since his professional debut, he has been on a relentless path of destruction, dispatching opponents like Hank Lundy, Jeremiah Nakathila, Jayson Velez, and Xolisani Ndongeni in quick fashion. His fights have averaged less than three rounds each, showcasing his devastating power and ability to end bouts in spectacular fashion.As a free agent, Mercado has been headlining shows staged and funded by his father and coach, Neto, while also making cameo appearances for various promotions, including 360 Promotions, MarvNation Promotions, Red Owl Boxing, and most recently, Salita Promotions.

Stepping into the Spotlight

Now, Mercado is set to make his promotional debut and graduate from the small halls to the big stage. On Saturday, he will face Jesus Saracho (14-2-1, 11 KOs) at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, with the fight streaming on DAZN as part of the Jaron "Boots" Ennis and Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez doubleheader.Mercado is eager to seize this opportunity and make a statement. "I'm definitely looking to steal the show and to show boxing who I really am," he told BoxingScene. "Hardcore boxing fans may know who I am, but now it's time to put the casual fans on notice. It's a great undercard to be on, featuring two guys like Boots and Bam who are on the verge of becoming superstars."

Embracing the Challenge

Mercado is well aware that Saracho will present a formidable challenge. "Saracho is a tough guy and a good southpaw who's beaten undefeated fighters, and that's what we wanted," he said. "He's a strong guy who has a heavy punch and is someone who is going to push me to my limits. When we get the spectacular KO, it's going to be that much sweeter."Mercado's confidence in his abilities is palpable, and he believes that this fight will be a stepping stone towards his ultimate goal of securing a world title shot. "There are so many opportunities," he said. "He has such a big stable at 140 pounds. Hopefully, we're able to get a world title shot by next year. It doesn't matter who. I know Eddie can make it happen. I'm excited about the future."

Aligning with Matchroom: A Strategic Move

Mercado's decision to sign with Matchroom was a strategic one, as he believes that Eddie Hearn and his team are best equipped to fast-track him to a championship run. "The way we see it, there is no promoter like Matchroom that is making the big fights happen. If I want the biggest names, I think a guy like Eddie Hearn can make it happen," Mercado explained.Mercado is confident in Matchroom's ability to transform him into a global superstar. "Eddie is doing a great job making fighters into global superstars, and that's what we wanted. It was a fit for me. Everyone says he's a good salesman, and it's up to me to make sure the product is as good as he promises it is."With his impressive resume, unwavering confidence, and the backing of a powerhouse promoter like Matchroom, Ernesto "Tito" Mercado is poised to take the boxing world by storm. As he steps into the spotlight on Saturday, all eyes will be on this rising star, eager to witness his ascent to the top of the junior welterweight division.