Bryan Mercado will be the first to tell you that his showdown with Ryosuke Nishida is a considerable step up in competition.
A scrappy banger from Mexico City, Mercado will also be the first to tell you that the move in this direction was part of a master plan.
A terrific 122lbs crossroads bout is in store Sunday on Japanese streaming service U-Next from Sumiyoshi SportsCenter in Osaka, Japan. Nishida, 10-1 (2 KOs), will be aiming to bounce back from his lone career defeat and the end of his IBF 118lbs title reign, while Mercado will be looking to thrive in his first trip abroad.
“I feel good, I feel strong,” Mercado said during a recent media day in Osaka. “We had a great training camp in Mexico City and we're going to show it on Sunday. As the fight unfolds, we'll see his real strengths.
“We know Nishida is a fast southpaw, and we know it will be difficult, but not impossible. I want to win no matter what; I don't care how, whether by knockout or decision. I just want to win.”
Mercado, 31-1 (26 KOs), brings a 30-fight win streak into this showdown. He has also stopped 11 of his past 12 opponents and is brimming with confidence ahead of the most significant fight of his career to date.
His momentum is in stark contrast to that of Osaka’s Nishida, who has not fought since his June 8 stoppage defeat against countryman Junto Nakatani in their WBC/IBF bantamweight title unification clash in Tokyo.
The setback ended Nishida’s 13-month stay as the IBF 118lbs belt holder, though the fight was always going to be his last at the weight. Nishida’s move up in weight comes as Nakatani also makes the leap to the junior featherweight, though the three-division champ is now on course to face Naoya Inoue, 32-0 (27 KOs), for the undisputed 122lbs championship on May 2 in Tokyo.
A win on Sunday will very much put Nishida in the conversation.
Mercado’s mindset isn’t even at that point yet, though it stands to reason that he would also be in the running to challenge for the division’s top crown with an upset win Sunday. Such an opportunity would be a welcome reward – but isn’t even a consideration at the moment.
“I don't want to think about the winner of Nakatani and Inoue yet,” insisted Mercado. “First I have to win on Sunday to get a shot at whichever of them wins.”
