Hitchins vs Mercado

When is Hitchins vs Mercado?

Richardson Hitchins could face Ernesto Mercado in Early 2026 the United States.

The fight would be contested over 12 rounds in the Super Lightweight division, which means the weight limit would be 140 pounds (10 stone or 63.5 kg).

Hitchins would be making his 2nd defense of the IBF World Junior Welterweight Championship. He won this belt against Liam Paro in December 2024. He has held this belt for 7 months and 1 day.

Hitchins vs Mercado stats

Richardson Hitchins would step into the ring with an undefeated record of 20 wins, zero losses, and 0 draws, 8 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

Ernesto Mercado would make his way to the ring with an unblemished record of 17 wins and 0 draws, with 16 of those by knockout.

The stats suggest Mercado would have a massive power advantage over Hitchins, boasting a 94% knockout percentage compared to Hitchins' 40%.

Richardson Hitchins is the older man by 4 years, at 27 years old.

Both Richardson Hitchins and Ernesto Mercado fight out of an orthodox stance.

Hitchins is currently the more experienced professional fighter, having had 3 more fights, and made his debut in 2017, 4 years and 3 months earlier than Mercado, whose first professional fight was in 2021. He has fought 89 more professional rounds, totaling 138 compared to Mercado's 49.

Richardson Hitchins goes into the fight ranked number 1 by The Ring at super lightweight.

Hitchins vs Mercado form

Hitchins remains undefeated as a professional, stopping 1 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight, he beat George Kambosos on June 14, 2025, by technical knockout in the 8th round in their IBF World Junior Welterweight championship fight at Madison Square Garden Theater, New York, United States.

Prior to that, he had beaten Liam Paro on December 7, 2024, by split decision in their IBF World Junior Welterweight championship fight at Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Going into that contest, he had won against Gustavo Lemos on April 6, 2024, by unanimous decision in their IBF World Junior Welterweight championship fight at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Las Vegas, United States.

Before that, he had beaten Jose Zepeda on September 23, 2023, by unanimous decision in their 12 round contest at Caribe Royale Orlando, Orlando.

He had defeated John Bauza on February 4, 2023, by unanimous decision in their 10 round contest at Madison Square Garden Theater, New York.

Ernesto Mercado remains undefeated as a professional, stopping 5 of his last opponents.

In his last fight, he won against Jose Pedraza on January 25, 2025, by technical knockout in the 4th round at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas, United States.

Prior to that, he had won against Hector Edgardo Sarmiento on July 27, 2024, by technical knockout in the 3rd round at Little Ceasars Arena, Detroit.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Deiner Berrio on April 5, 2024, by technical knockout in the 4th round at Red Owl Boxing Arena, Houston.

Before that, he had beaten Cristian Bielma on February 24, 2024, by knockout in the 2nd round at Evolution Club, Tijuana, Mexico.

He had won against Carlos Manuel Portillo on August 26, 2023, by knockout in the 1st round at LumColor "Phoenix Center", Ontario, United States.

Activity check

In terms of recent activity, Ernesto Mercado has been fighting more than Richardson Hitchins.

Richardson Hitchins last fought 7 months and 3 days ago, while Ernesto Mercado's last outing was 11 months and 23 days ago.

Hitchins' last 5 fights have come over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 13 days, which means he has been fighting approximately every 7 months and 3 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 54 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 10.8 rounds on average.

Mercado's last 5 fights have come over a period of 2 years, 4 months and 22 days, meaning he has been fighting on average every 5 months and 24 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 14 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 2.8 rounds on average.

What are the odds on Hitchins vs Mercado?

Sorry, we couldn’t find any odds for Hitchins vs Mercado yet. If odds are not available initially after the fight is announced, bookmakers usually release them closer to the day of the fight.