Tito Mercado, the rising star from Pomona, CA, often dubbed as the sport’s top international prospect, is lacing up his gloves to face the battle-hardened Carlos Manuel Portillo from Asuncion, Paraguay. The action is set to ring out on Saturday, August 26, right at the heart of the Lumcolor ‘Phoenix Center’ in Ontario, CA.
The stage is set by Fight City Promotions, who are pulling all stops to make this a blockbuster. Those not lucky enough to snag a ringside seat can still catch every jab, hook, and uppercut, as the entire bout will be broadcast live on Fight City Promotions’ YouTube channel. The duel is slated for ten rounds in the junior welterweight division, and given the fighters’ track records, it promises to be electric.
Young Mercado, just 21 and already sending ripples through the boxing world, steps into the ring with an unblemished 11-0 record, 10 of those being thunderous knockouts. His recent masterclass was a dominant ten-round decision over Xolisani Ndongeni, delivered with finesse in Managua, Nicaragua. Mercado’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Having turned pro in 2021, he’s left a trail of opponents, all knocked out cold. “There’s nothing quite like fighting in Ontario,” Mercado commented, reflecting on the upcoming match. “The energy, the local cheer, it’s electrifying. I’ve always stepped into the ring ready to face anyone, and this time’s no different.”
On the other corner, seasoned boxer Portillo, isn’t stepping in without his share of accolades. With a solid 23-4 record, 17 of those wins echoing his knockout power, he’s no pushover. He’s riding high on confidence, especially after clinching an eight-round decision against Juan Marcos Rodriguez Urtiz in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico last year.
It’s a classic matchup – the young gun with raw power and ambition, against the veteran with experience and strategy. The boxing community is buzzing with anticipation, debates, and predictions. Will Mercado’s fiery streak continue, or will Portillo’s experience see him through?