The Theatre at Madison Square Garden just lost a guaranteed highlight reel. Unbeaten super-lightweight puncher Ernesto “Tito” Mercado has withdrawn from his 10-round bout with Louisiana prospect Jonathan Montrel after suffering an undisclosed injury in camp, Matchroom Boxing confirmed Monday afternoon.
Mercado–Montrel was slated to open the DAZN stream beneath Richardson Hitchins’ IBF title defence against George Kambosos Jr., and many insiders viewed it as the sleeper fight of the night, a showcase for the 23-year-old Californian whose 94 percent stoppage rate has made top contenders think twice before answering the phone.
The setback arrives at an inconvenient moment for Mercado, who has spent the spring barking at bigger names. He called out newly weight-jumping Keyshawn Davis, tweaked Shakur Stevenson for pretending not to know him, and most recently challenged Nahir Albright to “hand over that belt.” None appeared eager to engage, and Monday’s announcement ensures the queue to avoid him grows longer—at least until a world-title strap forces mandatory obligations.
For promoter Eddie Hearn the hit is less severe; the Hitchins-Kambosos undercard still boasts IBF eliminator Andy Cruz vs. Hironori Mishiro, heavyweight prospect Teremoana Jr., and local draw Pablo Valdez. Yet losing Mercado erases the night’s purest knockout threat and delays a litmus test many hoped would answer whether “Tito” is ready for the division’s elite.
Learn more about Kambosos vs. Hitchins bout.
Image Credit: Matchroom