Ernesto Mercado says he wants to challenge Richardson Hitchins for his IBF light welterweight title next if they both win their fights on June 14th at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.
June 14: Statement in NYC
The unbeaten phenom Mercado (17-0, 16 KOs) faces Jonathan Montrel (19-3, 13 KOs) in a 10-round fight on the undercard of the DAZN event. Ernesto says he wants to “make a statement” on the June 14th card to make Hitchins want to fight him.
However, that might work against Mercado if he looks impressive because Richardson hasn’t shown interest in fighting dangerous contenders like Subriel Matias. A statement performance by Ernesto could put him in the untouchable class that Hitchins would want to avoid, like he’s seemingly doing with Matias.
Mercado, 23, notes that he and Hitchins are both promoted by Matchroom, and will be free after their fights on the June 14th card.
Hitchins might have other ideas. He’s been talking this week about wanting to fight Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez, or Ryan Garcia next. He might not be on board with the idea of facing the dangerous puncher Mercado. Even if Hitchins doesn’t get any of those three, he’ll veto the idea of fighting Ernesto and have him hand him his first career defeat.
Mercado has looked outstanding, knocking out his last six opponents, including Jose Pedraza. His power and attacking style make him lethal for anyone in the 140-lb division, especially Hitchins.
Mercado’s “Easiest Fight” Call
“I want Hitchins. That’s the easiest fight to make. He’s with DAZN. He’s with Matchroom, and I’m with Matchroom,” said Ernesto Mercado to Jeff Zimmerman when asked who he wants to fight next after his clash against Montrel on June 14th. “After this fight, we’ll both be free.”
The fight would be the “easiest” if Hitchins and promoter Eddie Hearn were in agreement to making it. Hearn won’t want Mercado to destroy Hitchins because he’s trying to turn him into a global superstar just like he’s attempting to do with Shakur Stevenson.
They’re similar fighters with a defensive, potshot, non-engaging style that is exciting to watch for most fans of this era. The older ones who enjoyed Floyd Mayweather Jr’s fights like Hitchins and Shakur’s style of fighting. Mercado fits with this era of being entertaining and exciting to watch. It would be good for Matchroom if he could get his hands on the IBF 140-lb title to replace Hitchins.
“I know the WBC, I’ll be getting ranked in that one. Puello is having a fight against Matias. I think after this fight, we’ll both be free and have nothing coming up. I think that’s the perfect, easy fight to make. I expect him too, but I wouldn’t be surprised,” said Mercado when asked if he expects Hitchins to defeat George Kambosos Jr. on June 14th.
In interviews this week, Hitchins said that if he can’t get Teo, Ryan, or Haney next, he’d be open to moving up to welterweight to fight 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao or Mario Barrios. In other words, Hitchins is looking exclusively for money fights. He’s not interested in fighting his IBF mandatory Subriel Matias or WBA champion Gary Antuanne Russell.
“I’m going to make a statement that I’m coming for Hitchins, and I’m really going to make my mark in New York. He claims he has the New York fan base. I’m really going to make a mark over there,” said Mercado when asked what boxing fans can expect from him on June 14th in his fight against Montrel. “I’m going to make it to where he wants to fight me next.”
Turki Alalshikh’s Role
What it may come down to is whether Turki Alalshikh will take notice of Ernesto from his fight against Montrel to offer Hitchins the kind of money to lure him into taking this fight. Aside from that, Hitchins would likely need to be dragged kicking and screaming into a fight against Mercado. He knows what the end result would be if he went against Mercado. No amount of running and potshots from Richardson would hold off Ernesto for long.
“I think Turki is getting the wrong guidance in getting the wrong fighters to fight,” said Mercado, reacting to the three main fights on the May 2nd card at Times Square being disappointing ones, lacking action. “I know Turki likes entertaining fights.”
Choosing Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez, and Ryan Garcia was pure poison for the May 2nd card at Times Square. None of them showed any interest in fighting hard, and it looked like they were half-stepping it, doing the minimum for some reason. It’s the behavior that people see in wealthy fighters who no longer possess the hunger they once had before striking it rich.
“I just think whoever is guiding him in picking the fighters, I think he’s mistaken. I think guys like me. Guys that come to fight. I think for that weekend, he had the wrong selection of fighters that night,” said Mercado
Last Updated on 06/04/2025
