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Tito Mercado Camp Notes
Knockout artist and rising star Ernesto “Tito” Mercado is
deep in training camp in Big Bear, Calif., at boxing Hall of
Famer “Sugar” Shane Mosley’s gym as he prepares to face
Emmanuel Tagoe in the co-main event of the Claressa Shields
vs. Kaye Scott blockbuster event on Saturday, Aug. 15 live
on DAZN from State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Mercado (19-0, 18 KOs) has spent the last four weeks in Big
Bear with his father and longtime trainer Ernest Mercado
Sr., with boxing legend Mosley serving as a training
advisor. The 140-pound contender will look to extend his
knockout streak to nine fights in his debut fight since
signing a long-term partnership with Salita Promotions and
Wynn Records.
The 24-year-old Mercado will break camp this Friday, Aug. 7
to travel to Atlanta, the site of his professional debut on
July 31, 2021. A little more than five years later, Mercado
will make his second appearance on a Claressa Shields card
as he looks to put the 140-pound division on notice.
“The altitude has been great,” Mercado said. “It’s a
different type of training and breathing, it really
challenges your mental state. It’s 90 percent of the recipe
in this fight game. I’m locked in. I’ve sacrificed so much,
I feel bad for my opponent on August 15.
“The work I’ve put in this camp is going to shine on fight
night. I can’t wait to put on a show for the fans at State
Farm Arena. I’m going to keep the crowd on its feet and warm
it up for the GWOAT.”
The 5-foot-10 native of Pompano, Calif., is currently ranked
No. 4 by the WBO and No. 5 by the IBF. Under the tutelage of
his father, Mercado has gone past the sixth round just twice
as his level of opposition has steadily increased since
turning pro in Atlanta.
“After Sugar Shane invited us to train at his gym it was a
no-brainer to have a fellow Pomona legend like Shane part of
our camp,” Mercado Sr. said. “The elevation, the isolation
are all key to helping us stay focused and away from
distractions as we prepare for Aug. 15.
“We’ve been meticulous in this camp about setting up Tito’s
shots. He’s looking really good. He’s ready. He’s willing to
go through deep waters, go in there and do what a lot of
other fighters won’t do. I’m really seeing that in this camp
and as he continues to grow as a fighter. He has all the
ingredients to be great. He can be bent, but can’t be
broken.”
Mosley, who trained in Big Bear for much of his Hall of Fame
career, has been impressed by Mercado’s work ethic and
stamina in the high altitude of San Bernardino National
Forest.
“Tito has a lot of great talent - speed, great power, and
movement,” Mosley said. “His approach to the fight is really
high quality. He has the mentality of a champion, it’ll only
be a matter of time until becomes one.
“I’m excited to see him fight on August 15, in what I
believe will be a knockout. I was in the ring with him, so I
can say firsthand he’s more than ready. He will be
victorious. My advice was really just about having that
championship mentality and keeping him on track. I’m so
proud that we have another fighter representing Pomona.”
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