Alberto Mercado

Alberto Mercado

Personal information
Full name	Alberto Mercado
Nationality	Puerto Rico
Born	(1961-01-02) January 2, 1961 Caguas, Puerto Rico
Height	166 cm (5 ft 5 in)
Weight	51 kg (112 lb)
Sport
Sport	Boxing
Rated at	Flyweight
Medal record Pan American Games 1979 San Juan Flyweight

Alberto Mercado (born January 2, 1961 in Cayey, Puerto Rico) was a Jr. Featherweight boxer who was on the verge of fighting for a world title at least twice in his career.

Mercado was one of only three American citizens who challenged the boycott of the 1980 Olympics celebrated in Moscow, Russia, competing in boxing for Puerto Rico after having won the gold medal at the 1979 Pan American Games. The other two were also representants from Puerto Rico and boxers: Luis Pizarro and José Angel Molina.

In the professional ranks Mercado had a winning record, but also had some bad luck. He lost to John Montes in a USBA title try on points, and on a fight to decide the IBF's #1 challenger, he lost by a knockout in 7 rounds to eventual world champion Antonio Rivera, after leading the fight on all scorecards at the end of round 6.

Mercado worked as a fireman in Dade County, Florida for many years. He used to train at the famous Bairoa Gym in Caguas, Puerto Rico, but he resided in Cayey during his years as a top boxing contender.

He had a professional record of 31 wins, 14 losses and 1 draw (tie), with 27 wins by knockout.

Mercado is currently working at the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey.

See also

• Juan Carazo
• List of famous Puerto Ricans
• Miguel Angel Cotto

References

• sports-reference