It's a classic veteran versus up-and-comer clash.
US-based Filipino boxer Mercito Gesta, fresh off outpointing former IBF junior lightweight titleholder Joseph Diaz back in March, is reportedly returning to the ring as early as September in a DAZN fight card to be held at a yet-to-be-announced location.
According to Boxing Scene, Gesta has been penciled in to fight the fast-rising William Zepeda, who is unbeaten in 28 fights—with 24 of his wins inside the distance. The Mexican southpaw, like Gesta, is coming off a win, wiping out Jaime Arboleda in two rounds just last April.
Zepeda also owns a win over the aforementioned Diaz, whom the 27-year-old beat convincingly via unanimous decision back in October 2022.
The Mexican’s meteoric rise has him primed for a title shot soon, having been installed by the WBA as its no. 1 contender at lightweight, whose kingpin, undisputed champion Devin Haney, is mulling a step up to junior welterweight. Zepeda is also ranked no. 4 by the WBC, no. 6 by the WBO, and no. 7 by the IBF. An impressive win over Gesta, himself a former contender at 135, figures to propel the southpaw to contender status and net him a likely title shot.
Gesta, however, is also looking to raise his own profile in the lightweight division after losing two out of three fights from 2018 to 2019. The win over Diaz was a good start for Gesta, who can play spoiler to Zepeda if he can chalk up another mammoth win.