Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (33-3-3, 17 KOs) got a big win as he outworked and defeated Joseph Diaz (32-3-1, 15 KOs) by split decision in their 10-round super lightweight battle on Saturday night at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California (DAZN).
One judge had Diaz winning 97-93, which was overruled by the other two judges, who had Gesta winning 98-92 and 99-91.
There was some excellent back-and-forth action, but the 35-year-old Gesta got the better of the exchanges.
“I feel great about the outcome,” Gesta said. “We had our game plan, and I listened to my corner. It was a close fight. With Coach Marvin Somodio, I have learned that I can move around a lot more, and I am excited to have another full training camp with him.”
Gesta now wants William Zepada!
“If I were to choose my next opponent, I want William “El Camarón” Zepeda next,” he said.
As for the 30-year-old Diaz, who lost his third straight fight, he’ll have to think about his future outside the ring, which includes an arrest in February that led to the former 130-pound champion being charged with DUI, child neglect, and driving with a suspended license.
Diaz-Gesta was upgraded to the main event after Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez was reportedly seven pounds overweight for his light heavyweight showdown against Gabe Rosado.
In other action:
In a sizzling super lightweight co-main event initially scheduled for 10-rounds, Chihuahua, Mexico’s Oscar Duarte (25-1-1, 19 KOs) handed Alex “Chi-Town Heat” Martin (18-5, 6 KOs) of Chicago, Illinois his first knockout defeat of his career, knocking Martin out at 1:14 in the eighth round. The fans cheered as Duarte launched two right hooks and a straight right that sent Martin straight to the mat.
“I feel very happy about this victory,” said Oscar Duarte. “This is for Parral, Chihuahua and for all the fans that came out today. We had a great rival in front of us who had tremendous experience. Being the first fighter to knock Alex Martin out gives me confirmation about my abilities and confidence in being able to one day fight for a world title. This victory tells me that I have fire in my fists and that I have the power bank to win a championship.”
In his toughest fight yet, recently signed blue-chip prospect of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Eric Tudor (8-0, 6 KOs) maintained his undefeated status and won his eight-round super welterweight fight against Damoni Cato-Cain (7-1-1, 6 KOs) of Oakland via unanimous decision. Tudor was cut in the second round due to an accidental headbutt. The judges scored it 78-74, 78-74 and 80-72.
Opening up the DAZN broadcast and making his first worldwide televised appearance, Dalis Kaleioupu (4-0, 3 KOs) of Waianae, Hawaii secured a unanimous victory over Jonathan Perez (40-35, 32 KOs) of Barranquilla, Colombia in a four-round super lightweight fight. Perez was deducted a point in round three for punching behind the head and round five for excessive holding. All three judges scored the fight 60-52 in favor of the Kaleioupu.
San Diego’s Jorge Chavez (5-0, 4 KOs) added another blazing knockout to his record after sending his opponent Bryan Perez (12-17-1, 11 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua to the mat within the first 30-seconds of the first round of the originally scheduled four-round featherweight fight.
Los Angeles’s Patricio “Cacahuate” Manuel (2-0) secured a technical knockout victory against Hien Huynh (1-2) of St. Louis, Missouri. The bout was stopped within 30-seconds of the fourth round due to a cut caused by an accidental headbutt.
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