MERCITO “No Mercy” Gesta had a career-defining win after beating former world champion Joseph Diaz by a split decision last Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California.
The 35-year-old Gesta got the nod of two of three judges. Judge Alejandro Rochin scored it 99-91, while Pat Russell scored it 98-92 for Gesta.
Pam Hayashida saw it differently and scored it 97-93 for Diaz.
Gesta came off a long layoff and needed a win like this if he wanted to move up the lightweight ladder.
The 30-year-old Diaz is also in dire need of a win after losing his last two fights against William Zepeda and unified lightweight champion Devin Haney.
Diaz is still currently ranked No. 11 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
Gesta improved to 34-3-3 with 17 knockouts, while Diaz fell to 32-4-1 with 15 knockouts.
Gesta fought for a world title twice in his career. He challenged Miguel Vazquez for the International Boxing Federation lightweight belt in 2012 and lost by unanimous decision. Gesta challenged for a world title again in 2018 against Jorge Linares in 2018 and also lost by a unanimous decision. Gesta revived his boxing career after a win over Diaz.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, WBC No. 10 rated super flyweight Adrian Lerasan suffered a disappointing floss to WBC No. 9 ranked Ricardo Malajika (11-3, 9 KOs).
Lerasan, who won his last five fights, was knocked down in the fifth round. He got up but refused to continue.
Lerasan fell to 12-5 with five knockouts, while Malajika moved up to 11-2 with nine knockouts. (EKA)