Ernesto Mercado signs with Salita Promotions, targets loaded 140-pound division

Ernesto Mercado believes the new partnership gives him the ideal path toward a world title.

“Dmitriy Salita and Ruben Branson saw the same thing my team has always seen in me, a future world champion. What made this the right fit was that it felt like family. That’s important to me because boxing has always been a family business. My father has been my trainer since I was five years old, and I wanted to be with a team that believes in me, keeps me active, and shares the same vision for where my career is headed.

“There were other opportunities, but this one felt different. Salita stays active, puts on quality shows, and keeps his fighters busy. I’m an active fighter, and I want to fight the best as often as possible.”

Mercado made it clear he is not interested in taking a slow route through the division. He specifically identified several of the weight class’s biggest names, including Shakur Stevenson, Richardson Hitchins, Keyshawn Davis, Dalton Smith and Emiliano Vargas, as fighters he wants to pursue as his career advances.

Before any of those bouts become realistic, Mercado must first defeat Tagoe (34-2, 16 KOs), who extended Ryan Garcia the full distance in 2022 and has lost only twice as a professional. Mercado views the matchup as another opportunity to strengthen his standing in the rankings while showing he belongs among the division’s leading contenders.