Ernesto “Tito” Mercado has signed a promotional deal with Southern California-based DMG Promotions to stay active while leaving room for bigger fights.
Mercado is scheduled to return on June 19 at the Fox Theater in his hometown of Pomona, California. The 24-year-old has not fought since December, when he knocked out Antonio Moran in the sixth round on DAZN.
Ranked No. 5 by the WBO and No. 8 by the IBF, Mercado believes the new deal gives him the local platform and activity he needs before chasing the biggest names at 140lbs. “I’m itching to get back and hungry to get in the ring again, having a homecoming fight,” Mercado said. “We’re ready to fight the best guys now.”
Mercado has already called out Shakur Stevenson, who holds the WBO super lightweight title, and has also shown interest in a fight with WBO No. 2 Emiliano Vargas. His father, trainer and manager Ernesto Mercado Sr. said the DMG deal was about staying rooted while still having flexibility for major opportunities. “We want to be home grown, not a road warrior jumping around like a Ping-Pong ball,” Mercado Sr. said.
Image Credit: The Ring