ROTTERDAM (DA) — Jeremy “Tula” Mercera opened his professional boxing career with a stoppage victory Saturday over Latvia’s Aleksandrs Sidorans at Boxing Gladiators in Rotterdam.
Sidorans’ corner ended the heavyweight contest after three rounds, keeping him on his stool before the fourth. The 21-year-old Mercera controlled his pace and picked his punches as he worked toward the stoppage.
The event took place at the Topsportcentrum, giving the Breda fighter his first professional boxing appearance after establishing himself in kickboxing.
Mercera’s next plans include a kickboxing bout in Curaçao in October. He entered his boxing debut having won all six of his professional kickboxing fights by knockout.
He trains under Nick Hemmers at Hemmers Gym in Breda, where veteran fighter Errol Zimmerman is among his training partners. Mercera began kickboxing at 15 after previously playing goalkeeper for amateur soccer club TVC.
A further boxing appearance is also under consideration. Hemmers said Boxing Gladiators had asked about Mercera returning for its next edition, with the coach and fighter set to discuss their plans Monday.