STOCKTON, Calif. – Antonio Moran aims to prove he is more than a gatekeeper on Saturday night.
Moran will face unbeaten Ernesto “Tito” Mercado in a 10-round junior welterweight bout at the Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, California.
Moran, 31-7-1 (21 KOs), doesn’t have the prettiest professional record, but he has earned his spot in the sport. In April, Moran, a 32-year-old from Mexico City, Mexico, upset unbeaten Mykquan Williams by way of a majority decision. With that win, Moran revitalized his career. Moran has been in the ring with Jose Pedraza, Devin Haney, Jamaine Ortiz, and Andy Cruz. The catch is, he didn’t win any of those fights.
“Moran is a tough guy,” Mercado said at the press conference. “He has been a good gatekeeper, he has been a good test, but on December 13, I plan to end that for him.”
Moran responded to the comments made by Mercado, 17-0 (16 KOs).
“In reality, I am not too bothered about those comments,” Moran told BoxingScene via a translator. “If he thinks this, maybe I will be the one who won’t let him through the door on this occasion.”
Moran has shown longevity in the sport. He had a draw against Yomar Alamo, who dropped but lost to former titleholder Liam Paro. In 2022, Moran won ProBox TV’s Last Chance Tournament, defeating Kendo Castaneda, Jeffery Torres and Michael Dutchover to win the tournament.
“To be honest, I am not sure if he is underestimating me,” Moran said. “One thing I do have is experience on my side, and he doesn’t have that.”
Mercado, a 24-year-old from Pomona, California, signed with Matchroom Boxing in August 2024. Mercado has only fought once with Matchroom, stopping former two-division titleholder Pedraza in January.
Mercado, who has been vocal in calling out the stars and belt holders in the division, will now face Moran, who is coming off his best performance in some time.
“It’d be better for me if he underestimated me,” Moran said.
