Avila Perspective, Chap. 208: The Next Sugar Ray?

Searching for the next Sugar Ray Robinson or next Salvador Sanchez never ends in the boxing game. Who knows if there is someone even better?

Southern California showcases two fight cards this weekend with sterling prospects headlining. One takes place in Indio and another in Ontario, California.

On Thursday Oct. 20, Golden Boy Promotions features a Texas prospect named Floyd Schofield (11-0, 9 KOs) against Daniel Rosas (22-5-1, 14 KOs) in a lightweight main event at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio. DAZN will stream the card.

Golden Boy had not added any new fighters to their roster for a while, so bringing in Schofield (pictured) could mean two things: they are looking for new talent or they truly believe in Schofield’s abilities.

Knockouts sell so when you have a prospect who ends fights without the judge’s assistance that can be an alluring factor. Schofield has won 81 percent of his fights via the blockbuster punch.

Five other undefeated boxers will be featured on the Golden Boy card that includes a female bout pitting former world champion Anabel Ortiz (32-5) against Maria Santizo (10-1) in a light flyweight match. Both fought and lost to Seniesa Estrada. It should be interesting.

Red Boxing in Ontario show

Two days later, an Ontario boxing card features another hard-hitting undefeated lightweight prospect in Ernesto “Tito” Mercado Jr. (7-0, 7 KOs) who fights Puerto Rico’s Jayson Velez (30-9-1, 21 KOs) for the NABA lightweight title on Saturday Oct. 22, at the Lumcolor-Phoenix Center in Ontario, Calif. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the Red Boxing Promotions card.

Mercado, 20, has stopped every foe he’s faced but finds himself pitted against Velez, a veteran who has faced Ryan Garcia, Oscar Valdez and Juanma Lopez. It’s not an easy fight.

“This fight means a lot to me,” said Mercado Jr. “It’s going to put me with the big dogs, in that category.”

Mercado was born and raised in Pomona, California, and began participating in boxing at the age of four years old. He amassed more than 300 amateur fights and credits that experience in his ability to adjust to different styles he faces in the prize ring.

His father Ernesto Mercado Sr. also credits his son for saving him from a self-destructive gang life. Pride exudes in every word he speaks regarding his son who he trains and promotes.

The father has been involved in selecting every fight from the beginning and concentrating on building a fan base for his oldest son. Two other sons are still amateurs.

After debuting in the state of Georgia, the young lightweight Mercado has fought primarily in Southern California. All his wins have been knockouts that impressed the crowds in Pico Rivera, Commerce, Montebello and Costa Mesa. Now he finally gets an opportunity to fight near his home Pomona.

“As a free agent I’m able to develop him. It gives us the freedom to fight who we want to fight and make a fan base,” said the father Mercado Sr.

The younger Mercado is excited about fighting mere blocks away from his native Pomona and about facing a talented veteran like Velez.

“I have a lot of respect for him,” Mercado Jr. says of Velez. “He’s an exciting fighter and been in with a lot of good fighters.”

It’s a very strong test for Mercado who only has seven pro fights. But he remains confident in his abilities. He’s on the fast track and feels it’s the only way to bring the big money fights quickly.

“It’s a talented division. A fight like this will bring the spotlight to me,” said Mercado Jr.

After Saturday, who knows. A dream fight would be Shakur Stevenson.

“I want the big dogs,” said Mercado.

Two female bouts are also included on the Ontario boxing show. Agnesa “Spitfire” Kirakosian (5-0) meets Esli Cervantes (0-1) in a flyweight clash set at four rounds and Stefanie Cohen (2-1) fights Kedra Bradley (1-5) in a bantamweight fight.

Kirakosian lives and trains in Southern California. This is her first contest in the US. All of her previous fights took place in Mexico. She’s eager to fight in front of her fans.

Power of Women in Boxing

Last week another impactful female boxing card took place as Claressa Shields, Savannah Marshall, Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner headlined an all-women fight card that sold out the massive O2 Arena in London, England. They all amassed more than 2 million views on SKY TV. That’s not including the views on ESPN.

Once again, the proof that female boxing has arrived has been stamped in numbers.

Most of the major promoters are including women prizefighters on their rosters except for PBC and Teiken Promotions.

United Kingdom boxing promoters have paved the way to success when it comes to women boxing. Mexico previously established its own success until recently. Is American sports television close behind?

Fights to Watch

Thurs. DAZN 6 p.m. Floyd Schofield (11-0) vs Daniel Rosas (22-15-1)

Fri. ThompsonBoxing.com 7 p.m. George Acosta (13-1) vs Enrique Bernache (24-14).

Sat. Fight Night Channel 6 p.m. Tito Mercado (7-0) vs Jayson Velez (30-9-1).

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