Ernesto Mercado promised to knock out Emmanuel Tagoe within three rounds after the two traded insults Thursday at the final press conference for their light welterweight fight.
Mercado and Tagoe meet in a 10-round bout this Saturday, August 15, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Their fight is part of the Claressa Shields vs. Kaye Scott card on DAZN.
Tagoe also got a physical reaction from Mercado when he reached over and touched his WBO International light welterweight belt on stage. Mercado pushed Tagoe’s hand away, and when the Ghanaian reached for the belt a second time, Mercado shoved him away again. Officials were close by, and the confrontation went no further.
“I hope he does stay there. I don’t know why he’s showing me his face for. I don’t know what the hell he just said, but looked like they whooped his ass before he got here,” Mercado said. “You can say what you want to say, but when you get in the ring with me, you’re going to get knocked out in three. I’m telling you that right now.”
“You fight someone like me before? You don’t fight someone like me. Can you mention a good opponent like me before on your record?” Tagoe said, questioning whether the 24-year-old Californian had faced anyone comparable to him.
Mercado labeled Tagoe a “chicken” and promised to “sacrifice” him.
“When it comes to me, you better be very careful on Saturday night,” Tagoe said.
“I ain’t worried about none of that. You’re going to get slept. I’ll put your ass in a body bag, boy,” Mercado said.
“I want to see the power you have to punch me. Prepare your mind,” Tagoe responded.
Mercado then told Tagoe he would wake up “to a lot of wrapping,” before Tagoe repeated his message: “Prepare your mind to come fight this Saturday.”
Ernesto Mercado and Emmanuel Tagoe go back and forth! 👀#ShieldsScott | Aug 15 | Watch only on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/0LSBk6fSDQ
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 13, 2026