Israel Mercado hopes his willingness to fight Raul Curiel on 24-hour notice will help land him a big fight.
Mercado, a junior welterweight from Montclair, California, most recently fought in June, winning a majority decision over Philadelphia’s Branden Pizarro in Pizarro’s hometown.
Mercado, 13-1-2 (7 KOs), is a 30-year-old veteran approaching his 10th year as a pro. He is now a free agent and has recently started working with Robert Diaz, who acts as his advisor.
Mercado reflected on nearly getting the fight against Curiel, after Alexis Rocha was hospitalized the day of the weigh-in. Jordan Panthen ended up filling in for Rocha, losing a competitive unanimous decision. The call, though, brought some excitement to Mercado, who is unbeaten since a 2021 defeat against Artur Biyarslanov, the only loss of his career.
“They got my name in their mouth, and that is all that matters to me,” Mercado told BoxingScene. “I was planning on beating Curiel – I wasn’t just going to lay down. I am a breath of fresh air because I am willing to fight anybody.”
Mercado's career has been a tough road. He has forged a professional career taking a blue-collar approach, facing four unbeaten fighters already in his 16 pro fights.
“I have always been a B-side fighter,” Mercado told BoxingScene. “I know I can become a champion, because I have seen guys that I think I could beat.”
Mercado – like many fighters in his position – feels that he should be undefeated, or at least have only one draw.His moniker is “Bad Ways,” but it could be “Bad Luck” given some of the breaks he has had.
“Israel has had no shortcuts or breaks,” Diaz told BoxingScene. “He came up the hard way and earned his position. Now it's time to go for the big one.”
Mercado’s win in June over Pizarro, combined with a draw with Leonardo Rubalcava last January, has him moving forward. Mercado is now ranked No. 11 by the WBA in the junior welterweight division. He isn’t shying away from fights he would like to make happen.
“I would love an Emiliano Vargas fight,” Mercado said. “Sandor Martin, that would be a good one. He is ranked, and he is awkward. I am one of those guys; if you give me the opportunity, I am going to take full advantage of it.”
The goal for Mercado, who trains with former fighter Oscar Negrete, is patience. He has established a quality record against regional competition and proven himself to be competitive at the world-class level. Now comes the hardest part: the timing to make something happen.
“I want to have a game plan,” Mercado said of his next steps. “I have a little bit of momentum in my career, and I have the right people behind me. Now I just need the promoter to put me on, and I’ll do the rest.”
Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @BigDogLukie.
