2023 Prospect of the Year Ernesto “Tito” Mercado Jr. Primed for DAZN Debut This Friday, April 5
POMONA, CALIF. (April, 2, 2024) – Undefeated super lightweight prospect Ernesto “Tito” Mercado, Jr. (Pomona, Calif.) has been waiting for the opportunity to showcase his skills to a worldwide audience, and he will get his chance this Friday on DAZN. Mercado will challenge Deiner Berrio in a 10-round main event for the WBA Continental Championship at the Red Owl Boxing Arena in Houston, Texas and he is more than ready for the moment.
“I’m super excited, it’s been a long road and this opportunity to showcase my skills on a major platform like DAZN is going to blow my name through the roof,” Mercado said of his major streaming platform debut.
The 22-year-old boasts a perfect 14-0 record with 13 knockouts, and his resume includes wins over Hank Lundy and Jeremiah Nakathila in the last year. His five-win 2023 earned him Prospect of the Year honors, and he is looking to continue both his winning ways and his high activity level in 2024.
Friday’s bout will be his second of the year following a second-round knockout win in February, and he is looking to have a breakout year in 2024 and earn a title shot by the top of 2025.
Mercado and his father/trainer Ernesto Sr. have taken a unique road in guiding his career. The 2020 U.S. OIympic runner-up didn’t sign with a major promoter, but he has still managed to stay extremely active and secure fights with well-known names in his first 14 fights.
He never shies away from a challenge and believes that his skillset stacks up well against everybody he gets into the ring with and he’s working to put himself in the conversation with the top names in the talent laden 140-pound weight division.
Mercado never fails to entertain when he steps through the ropes, and he plans to be the first to stop Berrio when they face off on Friday. “I am prepared for Berrio’s taunting and awkwardness, he likes to throw fighters off mentally and physically, so I have to be focused and on point the whole fight,” said Mercado.
He and his father have been preparing for his second fight of the year at their home gym, the G2G Boxing Club, in Pomona, Calif., before departing for ahis 15thprofessional fight. Mercado is primed to put on a show for the fans in the Red Owl Boxing Arena and those watching around the world on DAZN. “The fans can expect an unforgettable night of boxing. Every time I fight, I display not only the art of boxing, but also entertainment and come Friday, Berrio will be on the floor,” he said.
The DAZN broadcast will begin at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with the main event expected to begin at approximately 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
