MERCITO Gesta makes his much-anticipated ring return after a long layoff as he takes on Mexican Gilberto Gonzalez in a Golden Boy Promotions show on April 1 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Gesta, a native of Mandaue City, last saw action in October 2015, in which he beat Miguel Angel Mendoza by unanimous decision.

The 29-year-old Gesta rose up the lightweight ranks after 16 victories in the US.

Gesta got his title in 2012 against then International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez in a show headlined by Manny Pacquiao.

After a loss to One-time title challenger Ricardo Dominguez, the 29-year-old Gonzalez is a winner of eight straight fights.

He is coming off a sixth round stoppage over journeyman Luis Arceo.

Gesta is 29-1-2 with 16 knockouts, while Gonzalez is 26-3 with 22 knockouts.