Since birth, his parents have decided to call him Ernesto, but he feels more on his own and prefers to be called “Tito” as his family, his culture and his fans treat him affectionately. Titus Marketfrom Pomona in California, but Nicaraguan originfeels culturally connected to his father’s country and is not shy about emphasizing this with pride.
IN Opinion We spoke with this young 21-year-old boxer who, with his recent successes and goals for the future, wants to not only leave his name in the history of this sport, but also serve as a support for many young people who are vulnerable or misbehaving in their hometown.
He recently opened the Gangs to Grace gym in Pomona, which he plans to turn into a large organization: “I opened this gym with my father. Its principle is that all the boys on the street have somewhere to go; many of them with drug problems, with gangs. We want to help all these young people in the city.”
With so many testimonials and stories he knows about young people with problems coming to his gym, it’s hard for him to find a single testimonial that would mark him. Tito Mercado also admits how pleased both he and his father are. see the evolution and removal of crime and drugs of these young people.
“We have cases of boys with very heinous crimes. The gym has changed their lives.”
Titus Market
Few young Nicaraguans come to his gym, but he says it has been life-changing for them. “I met other Central Americans at other gyms and we supported each other.”
Tito Mercado and his goal in boxing: to become a champion
With an impeccable track record of 10 wins (all by knockout), Tito Mercado dreams of big belts. He is currently moving between lightweight and ultra-lightweight, but it is clear that he will have to work hard to compare himself in the boxing ring with the big names:
“We want to be on the list with people like Gervonta Davis or Ryan Garcia, fighting the greats.”
In the conversation, Mercado mentioned that he is working on being able to win the World Boxing Organization (WBO) belt, although it is clear that he needs to work and have a little more experience. His last fight took place on April 15 against Henry Lundy at the Phoenix Center.
Tito Mercado’s inspiration to become a boxer
Without shying away from his past, he spoke with pride about the battle his father fought and won against excesses, which also prevented him from pursuing a career in boxing. Now his son remembers when he was at the gym doing crochet hooks and he followed those steps in the sport.
“My dad was a boxer when he was young. He did bad things on the street and didn’t continue (…) One day I saw him boxing and I realized that this was a way to spend more time with him first, to spend more time around him. Then it became my passion,” he admitted.
Tito Mercado also told us that he plans to go to Nicaragua soon to give a boxing show and share with many people he appreciates: “I’m going to fight again in July in Nicaragua. They are very supportive and I want to give them the opportunity to see me live.“.
Source: La Opinion
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