COMING in as a huge underdog, former world title challenger Mercito Gesta looks to score a huge upset as he slugs it out with highly-ranked William Zepeda for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental Americas lightweight belt on Sept. 17, 2023 (PH time) at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California, USA.
Gesta is currently ranked No. 18 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and is looking for another run at a world title with a win over Zepeda.
The 35-year-old Gesta won his last two fights and is coming off a huge victory over former world champion Joseph Diaz.
The 27-year-old Zepeda is one of the top lightweights in the world right now. He’s currently rated No. 2 by the WBA, No. 5 by the WBC, No. 6 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), and No. 7 by both The Ring Magazine and the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Zepeda is fresh from a second round knockout of former world title challenger Jaime Arboleda last April 29 in Arlington.
After coming off a long hiatus from 2019, Gesta returned last year to beat Joel Diaz Jr. by unanimous decision. He followed it up early this year with a split decision over Diaz.
Gesta was once highly regarded and was projected to be the Philippines’ next superstar after Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire Jr. and Brian Viloria.
Gesta, a native of Mandaue City but now based in San Diego, somehow didn’t live up to the hype and lost in both his attempts at a world title.
Gesta first challenged for the IBF lightweight title against Miguel Vazquez in 2012 but he lost by unanimous decision.
He had another world title attempt in 2018 and lost by unanimous decision to then WBA lightweight king Jorge Linares.
Gesta and Zepeda tipped the scales identically at 134.2 pounds.
Gesta is 34-3-3 with 17 knockouts, while Zepeda is 28-0 with 24 knockouts.