Bernardo Mercado: A Forgotten Heavyweight Contender

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Bernardo Mercado was a rugged Heavyweight who established himself as a contender in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. The native Colombian enjoyed a fine amateur career before turning professional in 1975. He was once a sparring partner for Oscar Bonavena. Mercado stood a formidable 6’4’’ and possessed tremendous punching power. He won his first five fights by stoppage, four of them within the very first round.

In May 1976, he knocked out former contender Manuel Ramos in the 5th round. In his 7th professional fight, he was finally extended to the distance winning an 8 round decision over MacArthur Swindell. In April 1977, Mercado faced future Cruiserweight contender Randy Stephens and destroyed him in two rounds.

Mercado proceeded to win five straight fights, building an impressive record of 20-0, 17 KO’s. He then faced 1976 US Olympian John Tate. “Big” John was also undefeated with a record of 12-0, 9 KO’s and represented the toughest test of Bernardo’s career to date. Tate destroyed Mercado in less than two rounds handing Bernardo the first loss of his professional career. In his next fight, he was paired against Mike Weaver. At the time, Weaver was considered to be a journeyman with a record of 15-8, 9 KO’s. What the world didn’t know at the time is that Mike would later go on to become a world champion. Weaver took Mercado out in five rounds. Having suffered back to back devastating stoppage defeats, Bernardo’s career was very much in doubt.

After an 8th round TKO victory over Tony Pulu, Mercado faced another future Heavyweight champion in Trevor Berbick, who was also former amateur rival. Mercado starched the undefeated Berbick in one round. After two more victories, Bernardo was matched against perhaps the most devastating Heavyweight puncher of all-time in Earnie Shavers in March 1980. At nearly 35 years of age, Earnie was perhaps a bit past his prime but still coming off a big year in 1979. Shavers had destroyed Ken Norton in one round and nearly knocked out reigning WBC Heavyweight champion Larry Holmes before being stopped himself in the 11th round.

Shavers dropped and nearly stopped Mercado in the third round. However, this time, Mercado managed to survive. Ultimately, Mercado prevailed by a 7th round TKO in a war of attrition. Bernardo vaulted to the top of the WBC Heavyweight rankings and was in line for a potential title opportunity against Holmes based on that victory. However, seven months later, his quest for a title shot was thwarted when former Heavyweight champion Leon Spinks stopped him in nine rounds. Spinks would go on to challenge Holmes and Bernardo was once again faced with the prospect of regrouping from a crushing defeat.

In November 1981, Mercado faced off against fellow contender Randall “Tex” Cobb and lost a 10 round decision. Mercado would hang around in the top 15-20 of Ring Magazine’s Heavyweight rankings for the next couple of years but his status as a serious contender was finished. Over the next five years, he would go on to win 6 straight fights over non-descript opposition. Finally, in December 1989, a 37 year old Mercado was stopped in 87 seconds by Jimmy Thunder bringing a resounding end to his career.

Overall, Bernardo Mercado finished his career with a record of 33-5, 28 KO’s. He faced some of the baddest Heavyweights of his era, winning some and losing some. Mercado certainly won’t go down in history as a great Heavyweight and never seriously contended for a world championship. However, he was always exciting to watch.

Whether he won or lost, there was never a dull moment with this guy. Mercado had a punchers chance against anyone and would certainly be a tough test for any of the top Heavyweights of today.