There was only one day left before the weigh-in.

Friday’s trip to the scale provided the answer. Tagoe came in at 150 pounds, a massive 10 pounds over the light welterweight contract limit.

Mercado-Tagoe was scheduled as the co-feature on Saturday’s Claressa Shields vs. Kaye Scott card in Atlanta on DAZN. The two sides initially attempted to negotiate after the miss, but no agreement was reached. Dan Rafael later reported that the fight had been canceled.

Accepting the fight would have meant Mercado facing an opponent who was already substantially heavier before Saturday’s contest. Tagoe also avoided the physical demands Mercado went through to reach the contracted weight.

The cancellation costs Mercado (17-0, 16 KOs) an opportunity to continue building toward bigger fights at 140. During fight week, the 24-year-old called for Shakur Stevenson, Emiliano Vargas and Frank Martin.

Thursday’s visual now has an explanation. Tagoe wasn’t merely a little heavy. He arrived at the official weigh-in an entire division above the contracted limit.

For Mercado, walking away removed the risk of fighting someone who had not endured anything close to the same weight cut.