Mercito Gesta is still alive and kicking at the age of 35.
The one-time 135-pound title challenger from the Philippines defeated former 130-pound champion Joseph Diaz Jr. with a split decision in Saturday’s 10-round 140-pound match at Walter’s Pyramid in Long Beach, California.
The two judges gave Gesta the win with a difference of 99-91 and 98-92. The third game had the odds for Diaz, 97-93. Boxing Junkie scored 97-93 for the Gesta.
Both men fought to stay related.
In what both fighters call a “must win”, Mercito Gesta topped JoJo Diaz in a tight contest#DiazJrGesta | @autozone pic.twitter.com/MkrtsOmWKJ
– DAZN boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 19, 2023
The Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs) considered retiring after the 0-1-1 draw in 2019 and a long break after that but decided to play again. And his comeback fight went well, as he overcame Joel Diaz Jr. in April last year.
Diaz (32-4-1, 15) had lost her previous two games, to Devin Haney and William Zepeda.
Both need wins to stay on track. And the Gesta worked harder to get it.
The boxer from San Diego used stick and move tactics for most of the match, shoving his jab into Diaz’s face, unleashing his power strikes and moving as Diaz stalked. slap him.
Diaz, 30, saved many of the Gesta’s shots well, but for most of the game he tried too hard.
That’s not to say Diaz wasn’t successful, however, he was able to trap the Gesta with ropes on several occasions and take full advantage, delivering powerful, eye-catching hits to the head. and body.
The 2012 Olympic athlete was definitely more efficient in the second half of the match than the first five.
The two umpires who scored the Gesta clearly rewarded his performance although it was Diaz who delivered the harder blows. The third official, Pam Hayashida, was clearly impressed with Diaz’s aggression and more fearsome punches.
Gesta has now won head-to-head battles in his comeback, both against good opponents. He has more big games and lucrative paydays ahead of him, maybe 135.
“I feel great about the results,” Gesta said. “We had our game plan and I listened to my angle. It was a close fight. With coach Marvin Somodio, I’ve learned that I can move more and I’m excited to be in another full training camp with him.
“If I could choose my next opponent, I’d want William “El Camaron” Zepeda to be next.”
Diaz? He has now lost three matches in a row and the score is 1-3-1 in the last five fights, a bad sign for a boxer accustomed to winning in the big ring.
Angeleno then said he would meet with his team before making any decisions about his future.
Gilberto Ramirez, a 175-pound competitor, and Gabriel Rosado were scheduled to fight in the main event but the match was canceled after Ramirez over-weighted the 7.6-pound limit on Friday.
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