For hours a day, the 21-year-old Jesus Mercado Cabrera would sharpen his skills in a small cyan-painted room. His only aim was to return to his previous form, when he won back-to-back fights after his debut in September 2021. With his grit, dedication, and love for boxing, the Sonora-native got the name “Rafaguita,” which loosely translates to “little gust.” And that, he sure was. While he would take his time to get his opponent in the right place, he would quickly set himself for success with a flurry of hooks and combos.

That’s exactly what brought him six wins in the early stages of his professional career. However, his momentum slowed with a split-decision draw in mid-2022. Although he rebounded with another knockout victory, his career soon took a downward turn. His form stumbled with nine losses dating back to June 2023. But the boxer was once again set to enter the ring on September 27 at Gimnasio Juan Francisco Estrada in Hermosillo on Noche de Poder 5 card. The fight was against 8-11 fellow Mexican boxer Adrian Ruiz Acevedo for a four-round featherweight skirmish. Before that fight, though, he had something else planned.

According to some reports, Mercado had been in San Luis Río Colorado for a few days to continue his training. During that period, he had traveled to Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, for a fight, but never returned. Reports suggest he spoke to his family on the evening of September 14, but after that, no one was able to reach him. The family filed a missing persons report following several attempts to connect. Shortly after, search groups such as Madres Buscaras de Sonora and Colectivo Buscando joined in the task of locating him.

The next morning, the police were contacted by locals about a possible body wrapped in a blanket and secured with duct tape on the road in San Luis Río Colorado, near the highway leading to the Santa Clara Gulf. When the authorities posted his photo on social media for identification, he was recognized through his various tattoos, including Santa Muerte on his forearm and the logo of the Yaquis de Obregón. He also had tattoos of names “Leean,” “Sofia Yoselyn,” and “Km.” 

Once identified, the group from San Luis Rio Colorado that was searching for Mercado Cabrera issued a statement: “Family located. The young man who was found dead has been identified by his relatives, who will begin the necessary procedures to give him a Christian and dignified burial. RIP Jesus Ivan Mercado Cabrera.

“We thank everyone who took the time to react and share our post. Thanks to everyone, he will return to his loved ones. Thank you for your support in sharing and showing empathy for the suffering of others.” While no physical signs of violence were present on Cabrera’s body, authorities are looking into foul play. Sonora’s officials have filed a homicide report and are waiting for the autopsy to confirm the cause of the death. They will handle the case through the state prosecutor’s office.

The stretch of road on which Cabrera’s body was found witnessed 89 probes this year due to homicides and kidnappings.

One of Mercado’s associated promoters, Erog Promotions, mourned his death with a statement: “Jesús Iván Mercado was not only a warrior above the ring, but also a great person outside of it. His passion for boxing, his dedication in every training session and his fighting spirit will always be remembered by all of us who had the honor of knowing him.”

Jesus Mercado Cabrera’s last fight was on March 11 in Guaymas, a knockout loss. For now, the investigation is going on to determine whether the death was an accident, homicide, or had any other cause. At the time of publication, no law enforcement bulletin has attributed the death to a cartel, but has also not ruled it out. 

It is a grim time for the boxing world because the news of Cabrera’s death follows former world champion Ricky Hatton’s passing. The British boxer was found dead on September 14 at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester. The authorities revealed that they did not find any suspicious circumstances around his demise.