Boxing
Mercado claims Shakur Stevenson blocked him out of fear
Published
5 months agoon
Ernesto Mercado says Shakur Stevenson has been avoiding him since he drafted him. Matchroom-promoted welterweight contender Mercado (17-0, 16 KO) believes Shakur is “afraid” of him. He says Stevenson blocked him on social media.
Mercado, 24, tried to get Shakur (24-0, 11 KO) to fight him, but was unsuccessful. Instead, he chose to ignore him and fight the likes of Josh Padley, Artem Harutyunyan and William Zepeda to keep his undefeated record.
What was surprising was that Eddie Hearn didn’t try to match Shakur with Mercado while he was still under contract with Matchroom. Instead, Hearn handed Shakur Josh Padley, an electrician and part-time boxer, a mismatch earlier this year on February 22 in Riyad.
Hearn was trying to match Stevenson with former IBF super featherweight champion Joe Cordina, who defeated Anthony Cacace by eighth-round knockout.
“I think Shakur already has the idea, so he doesn’t really want to have it [fight]. When I called him, he really didn’t want to say anything. He was trying to avoid me the whole time,” said Ernesto Mercado Fight about how Shakur Stevenson didn’t notice him when he called out to him.
The 24-year-old Mercado would be a problem for Stevenson due to his punching power, aggression and pedigree. This wouldn’t be a fight where Shakur could hide on the ropes, as he did in his last fight against William Zepeda on July 12, or move around for 12 rounds. He would have to mix it up with Tito Mercado to win.
“He even blocked me on all social media. The boy is scared. At first it will be a tactical fight, but eventually I will break him and knock him out,” Mercado said about Shakur. “I see him for who he really is. He is a good boxer, but you also have to see who he is fighting.”
The punching power and pressure of Mercado’s fighting style would make him a threat to Stevenson. He is a completely different type of fighter than the 24 fighters Shakur has produced on his professional resume. In terms of size, Shakur and Mercado are similar, but power and a seek-and-destroy style are what set Ernesto apart.
“The top ranks at the beginning of his career when he was with them, they matched him really perfectly, fighting guys like [Oscar] Valdez, which suits his style. All these guys who fit his style perfectly. I don’t think it fits me very well,” Mercado said.
When Shakur was on Top Rank, they weren’t a forceful match for him. He was treated by Edgar Berlanga. They brought in previous fighters who were not a threat because he was defeated in the 2016 Olympics by Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez and unmasked in that fight. So in the 22 fights Shakur had at Top Rank, opponents matched him with opponents who posed no threat to defeating him.
Mercado returns after a break due to injury. Earlier this year, on January 25, he knocked out Jose Pedraza in the fourth round. Next month, Mercado will fight Antonio Moran (31-7-1, 21 KO) in a 10-round fight on the Matchroom card on December 10 at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California. Mercado vs. Moran will be on the undercard of Diego Pacheco vs. Kevin Lele Sadjo.
Nation Vegas has been writing about fighting games since 2012 and is currently a featured writer Boxing News 24. Over the years, it has built a reputation for extensive coverage of both major events and emerging prospects, delivering news, fight reports and features that connect with fans around the world.
With over a decade of experience, Nation combines insightful analysis with an accessible style, making his work a trusted source for readers who want to follow sports from every angle. His consistency and passion for boxing have made him a respected voice on the site.
Last update: 29/11/2025
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Boxing
Jarrell Miller Targets Long-Awaited Heavyweight Fight After Pero Victory: ‘Let’s Do It’
Published
17 minutes agoon
April 27, 2026
Jarrell Miller defeated Lenier Pero this weekend at Las Vega to fulfill his world champion dreams, although he may first want to end a long-running feud beyond the title picture
The controversial American heavyweight fighter defeated Olympian Pero over the distancelanding an incredible number of punches en route to a clear unanimous decision victory.
Although winning the final elimination puts him close to a chance to fight champion Oleksandr Usyk, after the fight Miller saw the appeal of an all-American fight with Deontay Wilder.
I’m talking to Fighting Hub TV“Substantial Baby” called for the fight to continue.
“I think if the fans call him out enough, they’ll want to make this fight happen. Everyone says Deontay will beat me, knock me out – there’s only one way to find out. He’s been knocked out multiple times, I haven’t. Let’s make this fight happen. We’re two of the top American heavyweights. We can both get people tuned in. Me and my brilliant speech, him and his weird, dramatic speeches and entrances… I think it would be fun.”
With Miller unlikely to be on Usyk’s radar as the Ukrainian only has a narrow number of fights remaining before he retires, Wilder presents an opportunity to settle a dispute – including claims related to weighty sparring and personal grievances – that has been brewing for years.
Wilder revitalized his career earlier this year with a hard-fought victory over Derek Chisora and will likely miss the opportunity to fight Anthony Joshua as the Briton focuses on a warm-up fight for his fight with Tyson Fury.
Boxing
Ryan Garcia signals doubts about Benn’s fight, calling Rolly to reserve
Published
2 hours agoon
April 26, 2026
In recent comments, Garcia said that Benn is the fight he wants. At the same time, he openly announced the emergency plan.
“If Conor doesn’t want it, we’ll go back to it with Rolly,” Ryan Garcia told Ring Magazine, referring to Rolando Romero.
That alone was revealing. Players who believe that an agreement is imminent tend to limit their message. When alternative opponents are publicly mentioned, it often means that there are still obstacles related to money, timing, broadcasters or promotional control.
Then another wrinkle appeared when Óscar De La Hoya publicly supported a completely different fight.
“I’m most interested in a rematch with Devin Haney,” De La Hoya said, adding that it could be massive enough to accommodate Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Now Garcia’s public trail includes three separate names: Benn, Romero and Devin Haney. Rarely does a finalized fight sound like this.
Benn’s matchup still makes sense on paper. Benn has become one of the more recognizable names in the UK and has now added to his profile after signing with Zuffa Boxing. Garcia remains one of boxing’s biggest social media attractions and continues to attract attention regardless of the results.
Put these names together and you have clear commercial value.
But picking a fight and liking the fight are two different things. Garcia has ties to the Golden Boy. Benn’s modern setting creates fresh business layers. Place also matters. An event in the US, an event in the UK, or support from Saudi Arabia would change the economy.
This helps explain why backup options are already provided.
A rematch with Haney also remains valuable as unfinished business continues to sell. Their first meeting generated headlines, controversy and debate. Whether fans loved the event or not, they remember it. In state-of-the-art boxing, remembered fights are often easier to sell than fresh ones.
Meanwhile, Romero proposes the simplest, practical way. It is known, accessible and connected to Garcia’s recent history.
Ryan may really prefer Benn, but preference doesn’t always dictate the schedule. This is usually what promoters, networks and time do.
Boxing
Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya disagree on who he should fight next
Published
4 hours agoon
April 26, 2026
Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya have offered conflicting perspectives on a potential rematch with Devin Haney, while rumors of a Conor Benn fight become more likely.
Garcia won the welterweight world title in February, dethroning Mario Barrios by unanimous decision following a first-round knockout.
Since then, his name has been most closely linked to Benn, the WBC No. 1 contender at 147 pounds, whose last fight was at 150 pounds against Regis Prograis.
In a recent interview with Fighting Hub TVGarcia confirmed that this is the fight he wants.
“Devin Haney never wanted this. He doesn’t want a rematch at all… [I’m going to return in] August. Can’t wait. I just want Conor [Benn]”
Unlike Garcia, said Golden Boy promoter De La Hoya Fight the noise that he “would like” to make a rematch with Haney a priority.
“I’m most interested in the rematch with Devin Haney. It could be a blockbuster event.
“I would love for this fight to take place in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium – it could be such a substantial fight.
“I believe this fight is the best fight that can be had right now.”
Garcia reached a majority decision against Haney in April 2024, but the result was declared a no contest after he tested positive twice for the banned substance Ostarine. It remains one of the most intriguing fights in boxing, especially considering the doubts surrounding the first result and the fact that it is currently a unification fight in the welterweight ranks.
But it appears Benn will take his shot despite recently signing a contract with Zuffa Boxing, the latest major promotion of the sport whose frontman Dana White has no interest in working with the four customary sanctioning bodies.
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