Light welterweight contender Ernesto Mercado (17-0, 16 KOs) made a statement tonight, stopping former world champion “Sniper” with a fourth-round knockout in a scheduled 10-round bout. Hand” Jose Pedraza (29 wins, 7 draws, 1 loss, 14 KOs) Saturday night at the Chelsea Ballroom at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas.

(Source: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)

The 23-year-old Mercado stunned Pedraza with a left hook and then knocked him to the canvas with a well-aimed right hand behind the ear. Pedraza stood up slowly, and when he finally stood, he stood unsteadily. Referee Robert Hoyle took one look at him and stopped the fight. The time is 2:08 in the fourth quarter.

The difference in size and strength between Mercado and Pedraza was too great for him to match. Pedraza looked as if he was afraid of being double-teamed throughout the game and allowed Mercado to take most of the shots in a lopsided contest.

After the game, Mercado called out Shakur Stevenson and said he wanted him next. Shakur looked in the crowd in no rush to mess with the young talent.

Ernesto Mercado calls out Shakur 👀👀👀#pacheconelson | Now live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/4gNsnBULqX

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 26, 2025