Gesta will get the chance to derail Zepeda's championship aspirations.
Veteran US-based pugilist Mercito Gesta will get a golden chance to continue his renaissance of sorts in September, as he is set to take on rising lightweight William Zepeda in a Mexican Independence Day special made possible by DAZN and Golden Boy Promotions.
Gesta pulled off in March what is arguably the biggest win of his prizefighting career, outpointing former IBF junior lightweight titleholder Joseph “Jojo” Diaz Jr. in their main event clash at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California. Gesta won by majority decision, getting the nod of two judges—98-92 and 99-91—to improve to 34-3-3 with 17 knockouts.
The Mexican southpaw, who also owns a win over the aforementioned Diaz, is coming off a win as well, dismantling an overmatched Jaime Arboleda in two rounds just last April. El Camaron, the reigning WBA Continental America title holder, is widely considered as among the rising stars of the 135-pound division, having been ranked no. 1 by the WBA, no. 4 by the WBC, no. 6 by the WBO, and no. 7 by the IBF.
The Gesta-Zepeda bout, first reported in mid-July, will give the winner an inside track on a title shot, which could be either against four-belt holder Devin Haney or another contender should the 24-year-old American vacate his titles once he moves up to 140 to take on WBA junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis.
The fight, to be promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and broadcast by DAZN, is scheduled on September 16 (September 17, Philippine time) and will take place at Commerce Casino in California.