Photo - Team Mercado
Boxing’s Top International Prospect, Tito Mercado, (12-0, 11 KOs), of Pomona, CA scored a devastating first-round knockout of Carlos Manuel Portillo, (23-5, 17 KOs), of Asuncion, Paraguay, on Saturday night in front of a huge crowd at the Lumcolor ‘Phoenix Center’ in Ontario, CA.
Using a battering jab, Mercado dropped Portillo with a tremendous left hook early in the opening stanza. Sending Portillo to the canvas again with a huge right hand to the head, Mercado was declared the winner by referee Thomas Taylor at 1:36 of the first round. The junior welterweight clash was scheduled for ten rounds.
“We practiced counter punching in the gym and it worked out very well,” said the victorious Mercado. “I want to fight the top guys; Arnold Barboza or Jose Ramirez. I’m more than willing to fight William Zepeda right now. If he’s interested I’m ready to fight him.”
Continued the 21-year-old, “It feels great to fight back at home and have the support of my family and fans. I always want to give the fans who bought a ticket a great show.”
The event was promoted by Fight City Promotions and broadcast live on their YouTube channel.
News of Mercado’s next fight will be announced shortly.