Ring Wrap: Giovanni “The Predator” Merceron
Giovanni Merceron is another one of the highly talented boxer from the Grudge fighter factory. Trained by one of the best tandems in the game, Trevor Wittman and Jake Ramos, Gio is presently training almost daily at grudge gym. One of the friendliest fighters you will ever meet lots of us figured that was Trevor’s vivacious smile wearing off but both Jake and Trevor. say Gio had that smile and attitude before they ever got hold of him. Gio is an extremely hard worker who is either working out or working other people out since he also works full time as a group fitness boxing and personal trainer. Although three thousand miles from home Gio remains very close to his mother and two sisters, speaking with them often. Another subject that makes his eyes light up to talk about them. On those rare days off Gio likes to be out exploring Colorado, checking out its sceneries, hiking, snowboarding when in season, and other fun outdoor activities. Gio is from Haiti originally, and having gone through his citizenship attainment process, he is glad to be done with it as it was a lengthy 10 year process. His friends and coaches all comment on how lucky they are to have him here and could not say enough good things about him. Although just suffering his first loss as a pro, Gio has already bounced back and regained that hunger and desire all champions have. If you have not yet seen Gio fight, I can tell you I have and he’s worth every penny. His next fight, once finalized, will be announced here. I caught up with Giovanni Merceron last week at Grudge Gym and this is what he had to say.
Mk-Where are you from Gio?
GM-Originally, Haiti-
Mk-How long did you live there?
GM-I lived in Haiti for almost ten years.
Mk-Where did you live when you first came to the U.S.?
GM-Florida, we moved to Florida and the weather is the same as Haiti, it’s the tropics.
Mk-When did you come to Colorado?
GM-I came here three years ago because I’d had enough of the tropical climate. I was sick of the heat! I wanted to experience the different seasons and to know what it’s like having snow. I moved to Colorado, and love everything about being here. Christmas is my favorite holyday, and growing up never having a snowy and cold Christmas, Colorado is making the magic happen for me.
Mk-When you do get a little time to yourself what do you like to do?
GM-I love being outdoors, hiking, exploring different mountain towns and discovering unique things about them, checking out the sceneries, mountain biking, snowboarding when in season, camping, done some rock climbing and bouldering a hand full of times, and just fun outdoor activities.
Mk-Gio, did you come out to Colorado specifically to box?
GM- Not really. I came here for a change of scenery.
Mk-Did you start your boxing career in Florida?
GM-Yes I did. I signed myself up the day after turning 18 and fought for about three years. Because I wasn’t a citizen at the time, I could not advance in national tournaments. I could only compete at the state Level. So I took about 3 years off from competing, to finish school, and to wait for the citizenship process to finalize. I later on moved here, then started boxing again.
Mk-Tell us about school, is that where you got your personal trainer background?
GM-I graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise science and Health promotion. I wanted to be a strength and conditioning coach. I got an internship with Bommarito Performance Systems, who hired me after graduating. There, we trained athletes from the NFL, NHL, MLB, the collegiate level as well as high school. It was fun, and I was with them until I moved here.
Mk-Can you tell us how you found Grudge and Trevor Wittman?
GM-Yes. I trained on my own for a bit once I got here. I checked out different gyms around town but mostly trained on my own. I kept hearing Trevor’s name and Grudge from different people I’d ask about boxing gyms. I finally stopped by to check it out but didn’t get to meet Trevor. I just assumed it’d be like every other gym so I continued on my own. I still kept being referred to him by different people. I was finally able to arrange a meeting with him and we bonded immediately. I joined the team and the journey began.
Mk-Can you tell us your record as a pro and as an amateur?
GM-19-3 as an amateur and I am now 3-1 as a pro.
Mk-Those are both really nice records Gio, do you mind talking about the tough fight you just lost a couple weeks ago?
GM-Thanks and no I don’t mind at all Mark. It was a good fight. Technicalities on my end resulted in the outcome. It’s all part of the learning and the mastering of this sport. We’re learning and improving with every experience. I’m not taking anything away from him. He brought a great fight and got the decision that night. He’s a talented fighter and a very respectful guy. I have plenty of respect for him.
Mk-Let’s remember too Gio that you are also a very talented fighter and are very good on that defensive side of boxing, you are extremely hard to hit!
GM-Thanks man-
Mk-I’m not going to drop names but I have heard from several people how close this fight was, I was unable to catch it but I heard you made all your trainers very proud of you on this night, you fought well against a very skilled opponent and my question is, you have lost so few fights, can and will you learn more from losing a close fight like this one more so than you could from winning it, do you agree with the statement, ‘You learn more from losing than winning?
GM-For sure. I’d agree with that.
Mk-Gio, I heard how respected this guy was and it seems you are fighting better and tougher opponents each time you fight.
GM-Yes the skill level is definitely going up, and we’re ready for it.
Mk-Do you run as part of your training?
GM-I do. Mostly closer to fight time. I alternate between sprint interval and steady pace running days.
Mk-Do you also have a full time job like almost all the other fighters down here?
GM-I do. I am a group fitness boxing instructor and personal trainer.
Mk-Can you tell us about your Family Gio? GM_I have my Mom and two younger sisters out in FL. They’re great.
Mk-Can you share some of your dreams and goals with us?
GM-Sure. My ultimate goal is to be the undisputed world champion. Another dream of mine is to visit and explore multiple countries in each continent, and get to experience that with my mom and sisters and other special people in my life. I also have other business ideas that are in the planning phases right now, which I’m working toward getting going.
Mk-What about nutrition and diet, things I think are super important when it comes to training?
GM-It’s important to feed the body properly for it to perform at its best. I’m definitely into juicing and eating more real foods in general. I don’t refrain myself from having let’s say pizza or something when I crave it, but it’s just not part of my regular diet. I do have a major sweet tooth though. For chocolate precisely. Anyone who’s somewhat close to me will tell you that that’s my weakness.
Mk-When’s your next fight? GM-Mid January Mk-Thanks so much Gio, we will see you around the gym…
Follow Gio on facebook (facebook.com/giovanni.merceron) or on twitter @giomerceron. As always email all comments good and bad to ringwrap56@gmail.com. Thanks for reading, mk