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.