Mercado vs Moran Predictions: Moran can’t guard the gates against KO artist

Undefeated knockout artist Ernesto Mercado takes on veteran Antonio Moran this Saturday, December 13. The bout takes place at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, California. The event features Diego Pacheco, Joe Cordina and Skye Nicolson. The card will air live on DAZN.

Keep reading for my Mercado vs Moran predictions.

Mercado vs Moran Odds

Mercado is your 1/14 favourite in this one. Moran is a long-shot at 17/2 while you can back the stalemate at 18/1.

Mercado vs Moran Fight Preview

Mercado is on a tear at 140lbs. The 24-year-old has racked up a 17-0 record with 16 stoppage victories. Veteran two-weight world champion Jose Pedraza was the latest to feel his fury. Mercado took out ‘Sniper’ in four rounds to stamp his authority on the scene.

Moran is an opponent cut from similar cloth to Pedraza. In fact, ‘Tono’ even faced him back in 2018, holding his own in a unanimous decision defeat. Moran’s fistic existence has been very ‘best of the rest’. 

World class foes like Devin Haney, Arnold Barboza, Andy Cruz and Jamaine Ortiz have conquered this guy. But Moran did put the first blemish on the record of Yomar Alamo with a draw and in his last bout he upset undefeated Mykquan Williams.

The latter win gave him a foothold in the world rankings again, as well as the WBO international bauble he defends on Saturday night. Moran finds himself in familiar territory as the gatekeeper expected to grant access to the division’s next star. But Williams will tell you it is not always that easy.

But as I said while previewing the Pedraza fight, “Stoppages of Jeremia Nakathila and Hank Lundy, as well as a decision over Xolisani Ndongeni, have demonstrated he is already above the gatekeepers.” Mercado knocked Pedraza out, which further emphasises the point.

But with 2026 around the corner, a big win over Moran is the perfect way for Mercado to serve notice ahead of what he hopes will be a big year. The prospect just needs to be wary. Moran knows all the tricks and how to use them.

Mercado vs Moran Full Card

Diego Pacheco vs Kevin Lele Sadjo

Gabriel Flores Jr vs Joe Cordina

Skye Nicolson vs Yuliahn Luna Avila

Ernesto Mercado vs Antonio Moran

Arturo Popoca vs Cesar Vaca Espinoza

Cheavon Clarke vs Anthony Hollaway

Sachery Sam vs Brandon Medina Guerrero

Cesar Olvera vs Victor Saravia

Mercado vs Moran Prediction

Moran is experienced and has tripped up prospects who fluffed their lines. But Mercado is on the cusp of contender status. A sharp puncher who whips his long limbs into opponents with accuracy, he looks custom-built for this task.

Moran is the bigger man at 5’11”, with 5’10” Mercado rarely giving up height. But he finished six-foot Nakathila in two rounds, quicker than Abdullah Mason and Shakur Stevenson, so I don’t expect the physical dimensions to play a part.

I reckon this will be one-sided in Mercado’s favour. An easy winner at 1/14.

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