Last month, BoxingScene.com reported that Michel Rivera would return to the ring in March versus Marcos Vilasana. The fight was to take place on the David Benavidez-Ronald Ellis  undercard on March 13th on a Showtime broadcast.

The top lightweight prospect was also in the running to face former four-division champion Adrien Broner. However, the Ohio resident decided to go in a different direction and returned to the ring on Saturday and won a unanimous decision over the unheralded Jovanie Santiago.

It was recently announced that Michel (19-0) will return to the ring Saturday night in Los Angeles against Puerto Rico's Anthony Mercado (13-4). The fight will be part of the FS1 telecast that will support the main card on FOX headlined by the WBC super middleweight eliminator bout pitting former world champion Anthony Dirrell against Kyrone Davis. The card will also include the return of rising welterweight Jesus Ramos against veteran Jesus Bojorquez.

Taking the fight on short notice wasn’t a problem for Rivera because he has been working hard in the gym since the Broner fight was being discussed. 

“I am always ready for anything that is offered to me. This fight was offered to me last minute and since I am always in the gym I accepted without hesitation. The same way I accepted the fight versus Broner even though he ended up picking a different opponent,” Rivera told BoxingScene.com. 

“I am here to demonstrate that I have the talent, ability and disciple to be a world champion. Every fighter is dangerous and I don’t underestimate anyone. Mercado is a strong fighter but I will be ready for him.”

Michel was last in action in October when he outpointed Ladarius Miller on the Gervonta Davis-Gervonta Davis pay-per-view undercard.  He went 2-0 in 2020 with his other victory coming over Fidel Maldanado Jr. in February.  

This will be a big step up in class for Mercado who will enter the fight on a two fight winning streak.  The most notable name on his resume is Mykal Fox who he lost an 8 round decision to in May, 2018. He was last in action in March, 2019 when he stopped Andres Navarro in 5 rounds. 

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