Jesus Mercado Cabrera was expected to enter the ring on 27 September at Gimnasio Juan Francisco Estrada in Hermosillo. According to BoxRec, the 21-year-old was supposed to square off against 8-11 fellow Mexican boxer Adrian Ruiz Acevedo for a four-round featherweight skirmish. However, before the fight could ever begin, while in camp, Cabrera was found dead.

The 21-year-old from Nogales, Sonora, was found dead on Monday, 15 September, in San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora. According to local reports, witnesses claimed the boxer, nicknamed ‘Rafaguita,’ was allegedly murdered between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning and dumped on the side of the road in San Luis Río Colorado, near the highway leading to the Santa Clara Gulf.

How did Jesus Mercado Cabrera die?

Leader of Buscando Personas in San Luis Río Colorado, Mónica Espinoza Rivera, told El Financiero, “We received the citizen report on September 15 at around 10 a.m. and we posted the information on social media. From then on, the boy’s relatives, his partner, from Nogales, and other relatives from Ciudad Obregón, because he was from there, contacted us. His partner told me that on the 14th, they spoke with him on the phone.”

While a cause of death hasn’t been revealed, reports claim that Cabrera was found wrapped in a blanket held together with duct tape. Curiously, no visible signs of violence were present on the boxer’s body. A key reason behind the 21-year-old’s quick identification was his multiple tattoos. He had tattoos of Santa Muerte on his forearm and the logo of the Yaquis de Obregón, which stood out and appeared on his body when he participated in boxing matches. 

This begs the question: what exactly is known about the late boxer? 

Who was Jesus Mercado Cabrera?

Cabrera, who competed in the bantamweight division previously, turned professional in 2021 and built a record of 7-9-1 (5 KOs). He stormed onto the scene by winning his first three fights by knockout, but 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.

The young fighter went on to suffer nine straight defeats leading up to his scheduled bout next month. Still, Cabrera was regarded as a boxer who never shied away from challenges. Known for his grit, he earned respect in Sonora for consistently testing himself against tough competition.

However, he won’t be able to do it any longer, as the opportunity was ripped away from him. This remains a developing story, as the investigation into uncovering the culprit continues.