Do you want to see a fight between two boxers who don’t hesitate to deal with fire and sword? If yes, grab a seat for Ernesto Mercado vs. Hector Edgardo Sarmiento. On the undercard of Claressa Shields vs. Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, the two will lock horns in the squared circle.

While Mercado, BoxingScene.com’s 2023 Prospect of the Year looks unstoppable with a laudable fight IQ at 22, thirsty Edgardo Sarmiento returns to the ring after a four-year absence, desperately searching for a win. So, in case you wonder what to expect from the fight, read our detailed analysis and prediction that follow.

Ernesto Mercado vs. Hector Edgardo Sarmiento: Tale of the tape

Prompt in his responses, Ernesto Mercado, 15-0-0 (14KOs), likes to stay outside the pocket and use a fast jab to attack and counter his opponent. In the fight against Carlos Manuel Portillo, when Portillo tried to close in on the distance, placing his lead foot outside the center line, the 5′ 10″ fighter cut a beautiful angle while catching the former with his left hook, contributing an astounding knockdown.

Mercado, who weighed in at 141.6lbs, has footwork, understanding of reach, patience, and power. He is not partial to a specific punch like Ryan Garcia is to his left hook. Proficient in attacks, Mercado likes to set up body shots and stinging right hands with his jabs that force opponents to maintain a tall guard often. As of now, he has won 93.33% of his fights via knockouts.

Demonstrating excellent stamina and rhythm, in his last fight against Deiner Berrio, Mercado, with a reach of 178cm, kept trying to corner his opponent. Almost pleading with Mercado, as Berrio walked back while maintaining a tall guard, ‘Tito’ threw some fiery shots to the former’s body, ultimately winning via TKO in the fourth round.

Hector Edgardo Sarmiento, 21-2-0 (14KOs) is too aggressive a fighter who enters the ring with fire and a sword. So, his strength can be his weakness too at times. For example, in his last fight against Denys Berinchyk for the WBO International Lightweight title, the 5′ 7″ tall fighter kept going forward when a little capacity for patience and defense could have helped the Argentine boxer avoid some of Berinchyk’s shots too.

Unlike, Ernesto Mercado, the 31-year-old does not show a fondness for the jab. Additionally, he has more of a kickboxer’s footwork. A wider gap between the feet can only allow Sarmiento to throw jabs and right hands to the body, resulting in his opponent’s exhaustion. Although aggressive, Sarmiento could not deliver a blow powerful enough to end the night. Instead, he allowed the fight to go the distance of twelve rounds, finally losing via UD. With a reach of 170cm, Edgardo Sarmiento has won 66.67% of his fights via knockouts.

Who do we think will carry the day – Mercado or Sarmiento?

At the beginning, one must take into account that Hector Edgardo Sarmiento is returning to the ring after a four-year absence. So, there will be ring rust. At the same time, Sarmiento is already 31 years old making his opponent nine years younger than him. If we consider ring IQ and skills, Sarmiento is not a very good defensive fighter who can prohibit his opponent from landing effective shots. It is not that he does not have power, but, Ernesto Mercado is a dangerous fighter as his punches are a combination of power and accuracy.

Meanwhile, since Mercado is used to cutting angles and going to his opponent’s blind side, we can expect the fighter from California to dodge several shots by Sarmiento. If he remains patient, one can confidently state that Mercado will identify Sarmiento’s flaws early in the fight and capitalize on them. So, I have a strong feeling that Mercado will dominate Sarmiento as far as techniques are concerned.

And since it is always desperate and aggressive boxers who get themselves knocked out, there is a chance that Mercado will put Sarmiento to sleep. I expect Ernesto Mercado to win via a fourth-round KO over Hector Edgardo Sarmiento. Should you take exception to any of the views expressed, voice yourself in the comments below. For more boxing updates, follow EssentiallySports!