When asked about a potential bout with Mercado, Martin expressed his intentions with absolute clarity.
“I am prepared to take on that challenge,” Martin stated. “Once my current obligations are met, we can certainly arrange it. Absolutely. Do you understand? Absolutely, we can make it happen.”
He reiterated his pledge moments later, emphasizing the unwavering nature of his stance.
“I would gladly agree to that fight immediately following my current engagement. It’s entirely feasible.”
This interaction occurred while Martin was still gearing up for his Saturday match against Albright, fusing his immediate concentration with future prospects in one public instance. Albright had already successfully completed his weigh-in and related duties, yet the spotlight gravitated to the nearby verbal exchange.
Mercado, aged 24, participated in the discussion with an undefeated record, having secured 17 knockouts across 18 contests. His assertive approach and strong knockout rate have positioned him as an emerging force in the junior welterweight category, despite some boxing enthusiasts being less acquainted with him than with more prominent fighters.
Martin, currently 31, has been in a phase of recovery following his knockout defeat by Gervonta Davis in June 2024. He marked his comeback in December with a decisive win against the seasoned Rances Barthelemy, resuming his career trajectory after a period of unpredictability.
By publicly agreeing to the bout, Martin guaranteed that his dialogue with Mercado would be integrated into the official account of his comeback weekend. Whether this potential contest materializes next will hinge on the result of Saturday’s fight, but the pledge itself was unequivocally stated before spectators.
