The problem for Mercado is that he currently falls into the high-risk, low-reward category. Fighters with bigger commercial positions have little reason to face him without major financial backing from projects like Riyadh Season or possibly Zuffa Boxing if the company becomes more aggressive in boxing.
Mercado made it clear he believes Keyshawn is one of the fights that should happen next.
“I think Keyshawn Davis, you know, he’s not a world champion. I think we’re both at the same. I think as far as positioning in the 140. I think we’re both in the same kind of place,” Mercado told Brian Custer’s channel.
“He and I just had beef since the Olympic trials. I was supposed to take my box off with him. Never did. So, I kind of keep it personal to him.”
“I wanted to get my get back. And what better way to take his own in the professional rankings?”
“He’s a good fighter, man. But we shared the ring for a quick practice or two. He was trying to get cute. I touched him with a shot. I saw his eyes get really big.”
“I just can’t wait to go out there and expose him. That act he’s doing now, man, it’s not real.”
Mercado also dismissed Martin as a serious threat, suggesting that several fighters have quietly turned down opportunities to fight him.
“Frank Martin is not on my level. I find it disrespectful that people even put him in the same category as me,” Mercado said.
“A lot of these top guys that are your favorites, they elude me, man.”
“One of the top guys, the most recent one, Barboza, he dodged my fight. They called me to fight him. I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ Never anything back.”
“Same thing as Frank Martin. I think all these guys think I’m bluffing or something and when I actually go to tell them I accept the fight, they just freak out.”
Mercado also called for a future fight with Stevenson, while acknowledging the business side could prevent that from happening immediately.
“I think Shakur is a great fighter,” Ernesto said.
“People are like, ‘Oh, you have to deal with his defense.’ Boom. He has to deal with me. I could also pop, and I could box.”
“I fought such styles many times in the amateurs, and I had no problem with it.”
“I just need the opportunity to show it and take him out.”
Mercado is still waiting for the kind of promotional push that could open those doors. Without major financial backing behind him, the fighters he targets may still see him as a dangerous risk without enough reward attached to the fight.
