William Zepeda vs. Mercito Gesta | DAZN - September 16, 2023

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https://t.ly/O13n

William Zepeda-Mercito Gesta Lightweight Clash Set, September 9 On DAZN; Location TBD

William Zepeda has a set fight date as he continues to build towards a targeted title shot.

Boxing Scene has learned that the unbeaten lightweight contender will face the Philippines' Mercito Gesta atop a September 9 DAZN date from a yet-to-be-determined location.

Golden Boy Promotions representatives were unavailable to confirm as this goes to publication.

The fight will mark the third consecutive main event for Zepeda (28-0, 24 KOs), the red-hot 27-year-old southpaw from San Mateo Atenco, Mexico. It comes just more than four months after a two-round wipeout of Jaime Arboleda in an April 29 bout that was elevated to main event when Vergil Ortiz (19-0, 19 KOs) was forced to withdraw from a planned challenge of WBA ‘Regular’ welterweight titlist Eimantas Stanionis in Arlington, Texas.

Zepeda thrived in his first DAZN main event, a lopsided twelve-round win over former IBF junior lightweight titlist Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz last October 30 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.

Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs) enjoyed his own victory over Diaz in his most recent performance. The 35-year-old Filipino southpaw outpointed the former titlist over ten rounds in their March 19 makeshift main event at Walter Pyramid on the campus of California State University-Long Beach. The bout was upgraded from the co-feature slot when Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez was unable to make weight for a planned light heavyweight clash versus Gabriel Rosado.

The career best win came in the wake of Gesta losing out on a planned fight versus Ryan Garcia, who bypassed their targeted January clash to head straight into his April 22 showdown versus Gervonta Davis. Gesta previously outpointed Joel Diaz Jr. in their ten-round thriller last April 21, which was his first fight in more than two years and his first win since 2018.

Zepeda is one of several top lightweights awaiting the status of undisputed champion Devin Haney (30-0, 15 KOs), who is mulling whether to remain at the weight or campaign at the 140-pound junior welterweight division. Zepeda is the number-one contender with the WBA, who recognizes Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) as its ‘Regular’ titlist and Haney as the ‘Super’ champ. Zepeda is also ranked in the top ten with the WBC (#4), IBF (#7) and WBO (#6).

[margaret thatcher]

the man with the most insane gas tank and work rate in boxing , willy zepeda

[Counter-puncher]

Mr EPO

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

San Mateo Atenco, Mexico’s William “El Camarón” Zepeda (28-0, 24 KOs) will defend his WBA Continental Americas lightweight title against the resilient Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs) of Mandaue City, Philippines in a 12-round fight that will generate fireworks for Mexican Independence Day.

“I am very excited to be back in the ring in September, especially on such an important date for my country and for Mexican boxing,” said Zepeda. “I know it will be another great fight for the Mexico vs. Philippines rivalry.”

Zepeda was last seen headlining on April 29 in a spectacular second-round knockout of Jaime Arboleda. The two have defeated a common foe - Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. - as Gesta is returning after a major career win against him last March. The action will take place live from the Commerce Casino on September 16 and broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“On September 16th, I can’t wait to get back in the ring against a tough fighter in William Zepeda,” said Gesta. “William is a rising star in our sport, and I’m honored to share the ring with him. The Mexico vs. Philippines rivalry will be action packed every round. To all my ‘No Mercy’ and boxing fans in the Philippines and around the world, don’t miss out on this great event. See you soon!”

In the co-main event, Vancouver’s Victor “El Tornado” Morales (18-0-1, 9 KOs) will defend his WBA Intercontinental featherweight fitle against Mexico City’s Edwin “Pupo” Palomares (18-4-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round fight. Morales was last seen pulling off the upset of his career against Diego De La Hoya last April 29 in a sensational knockout that catapulted him in the rankings.

"Mexican Independence Day weekend and boxing go hand-in-hand, and we’re excited to bring fans a show September 16,” said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya.

"Zepeda is a relentless fighting machine who will be looking to showcase his skills on the biggest weekend in boxing. But Mercito Gesta is coming off the best victory of his career over a former world champion and is hungry for more. There will be fireworks between these two warriors.”

[margaret thatcher]

f@ck this still a month away? i cant get enough of billy z

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Three-division and five-time world champion Yokasta Valle (28-2, 9 KOs) will make her 2023 return to U.S. soil and will defend her IBF and WBO minimumweight world championship titles against a soon-to-be-announced opponent.

Nicaraguan-born and Costa Rican-raised, Valle will participate in a 10-round match as part of the Zepeda vs. Gesta fight card. In the main event, William "El Camarn" Zepeda (28-0, 24 KOs) will defend his WBA Continental Americas lightweight title in a 12-round match against Mercito "No Mercy" Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs).

The co-main event will also produce fireworks for the illustrious Mexican Independence Weekend with Vancouver's Victor "El Tornado" Morales (18-0-1, 9 KOs) scheduled to defend his WBA Intercontinental featherweight title against Mexico City's Edwin "Pupo" Palomares (18-4-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round fight.

The undercard has been stacked from head-to-toe with Golden Boy's must-watch prospects and soon-to-become contenders. Houston, Texas' Darius "DFG" Fulghum (6-0, 6 KOs) will look to continue his knockout streak in an eight-round light heavyweight fight against Mexico City's Ricardo "Tyson" Luna (25-10-2, 16 KOs). Fulghum will be leveling up after breezing through a third-round technical knockout victory against Jeremiah Curtright last April 29.

Opening the DAZN broadcast with eight-rounds of middleweight action, recently signed Eric Priest (10-0, 7 KOs) who represents Wichita Falls, Texas and is now under the tutelage of world championship trainer Ismael Salas, will face off against Danish-born Simon "Vikingo" Madsen (13-1, 10 KOs) who now calls Mexico City home. Priest is returning to the ring after a slugfest last May 27 against Argentinian Ricardo Villalba. Madsen's second professional fight in the U.S., he will be looking for redemption after his first go-around in the States didn't go according to plan.

On the Golden Boy Fight Night: Zepeda vs. Gesta Prelims streamed on YouTube and Facebook Watch, Daniel "Junebug" Garcia (6-0, 5 KOs) of Denver, Colorado will fight Guadalajara, Mexico's Erick "Aidahoe" Benitez (4-4, 1 KO) in a four-round super featherweight match. In a six-round super lightweight fight, Mexicali, Mexico's Pinpon Reyes (10-0, 5 KOs) will measure up against Roberto Gomez (5-1, 5 KOs) of Mexico City.

Recently signed to Golden Boy, Mexican Olympian Gael Cabrera (1-0, 1 KO) of Sonora, Mexico will participate in a four-round super bantamweight fight. Making his pro-debut and opening Mexican Independence Day Weekend festivities, Jordan Cervantes of East Los Angeles will participate in a four-round lightweight fight. Opponents for both will be announced soon.

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Press Release | Darius “DFG” Fulghum to face Ricardo Adrian “Tyson” Luna in Los Angeles

Undefeated prospect Darius “DFG” Fulghum (6-0, 6 KOs) will experience a few firsts on September 16th in his toughest test to date during his young professional career versus veteran Mexican fighter Ricardo Adrian “Tyson” Luna (25-10-2, 16 KOs) at Commerce Casino and Hotel in Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old Fulghum, who is a promotional free agent, will be fighting in L.A. for the first time in his first scheduled eight-round bout.

“I’m excited to be fighting on a good card on DAZN,” Fulghum commented. “I’ve built a good network there (in LA at Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood) and I’ll have a lot of people coming from home (Texas), too.

“Nothing really changes in training (preparing for his first eight-rounder at a lighter weight). Every time I had a four or six round fight, I prepared for it like it was a 12-round fight. Same for this fight but with even more focus.”

Luna has become a “gatekeeper” having fought top prospects at various stages of their respective careers such as (16-0) Albert Ramirez, (19-0) Diego Pacheco, (30-0) Eric Bazinyan and (16-3) Ryota Murata. Luna’s most notable fight was a draw with 21-2 Vyacheslav Shabranskyy.

“I’m not putting pressure on myself to get a knockout,” Fulghum said, “Every fighter will tell you, if a knockout comes, it comes. My style is wear-and-tear to breakdown my opponent. Will I take a knockout? Yes, but I’m not planning for it.”

Fulghum will be fighting for his fourth time in five months, a pace that perfectly suits “DFG” as he transitions from light heavyweight to super middleweight, fighting Luna at a 172-pound catchweight.

“I’d like to ramp it up even more because it builds my experience,” Fulghum explained his accelerated pace of development. “I haven’t suffered any damage in my fights and I’m always in the gym training.”

A licensed nurse in Texas with a degree from Prairie View A & M University, Fulghum was a decorated amateur boxer, ranked No. 1 in the USA as a heavyweight, despite fighting as a light heavyweight/super middleweight as a pro. He captured top honors at the 2018 National Golden Gloves Tournament and 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. All of his amateur accomplishments were achieved while he attended college.

Fulghum is working with 3 Point Management (3 PM), a growing company based in Los Angeles that has a growing stable of gifted boxers including former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs), NABA super flyweight champion John “Scrappy” Ramirez (12-0, 8 KOs), light heavyweight Kareem Hackett (12-0, 6 KOs), super middleweight Cem “Champ” Kilic (17-1, 11 KOs), and heavyweight Zach Spiller (3-0, 2 KOs).

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Fight Week!!

[IrishGuy]

I've actually slept on William zepeda, how good is he? What fight of his should I watch

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Presser

[margaret thatcher]

I've actually slept on William zepeda, how good is he? What fight of his should I watch

how was he to sleep on? was it cozy?

you should watch the jo jo diaz fight if you wanna see his utterly insane work rate and stamina. averaging like 135 punches for 12 rounds , and they arent piddly arm punches either. if you want a shorter version, the fight vs hector tanajara

[Sammy Scaff]

Should be an excellent all-action scrap with 2 fighters who really "want it".

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Date: Saturday September 16, 2023
Location: The Commerce Casino & Hotel - Commerce, CA
TV/Stream: DAZN

Start Times
Youtube: 6:05 pm ET | 3:05 pm PT | 11:05 BST (Preliminary Card)
DAZN: 8 pm ET | 5 pm PT | 1 am BST (Main Card)

Promoted by: Golden Boy Promotions

Main Card

WBA Continental Americas Lightweight Championship
William Zepeda vs. Mercito Gesta

WBA Intercontinental Featherweight Championship
Victor Morales vs. Edwin Palomares

Unified IBF & WBO minimumweight Championship
Yokasta Valle vs. Maria Micheo Santizo

8 Round Light Heavyweight Bout
Darius Fulghum vs. Ricardo Adrian Luna

8 Round Middleweight Bout
Eric Priest vs. Simon Madsen

Prelims

6 Round Super Featherweight Bout
Daniel Garcia vs. Erick Garcia Benitez

6 Round Super Lightweight Bout
Alejandro Reyes vs. Roberto Gomez

4 Round Super Bantamweight Bout
Gael Cabrera vs. Juan Centeno

4 Round Lightweight Bout
Jordan Cervantes vs. Giovanny Meza

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tonight’s boxing.

[gregregegg]

Main cards starting now. Looks like a decent fight on paper, not that iv heard of either really.

[gregregegg]

Gunna be a tough learning fight for the prospect priest. I have him losing the first round (close) and the b side looks tough and ruggard.

[skanksta]

Very hard to score the first, but not the second.

Judas beating him up now - breaking him down.

[skanksta]

Closer 3rd, but Madsen much less powerful.

29-28 P

[gregregegg]

“Why not just school him and make him look not on your level”

Geeeze great game plan coms, just be better, smartS

[skanksta]

Competitive, but it's Priest by a little, or a lot.
4-2 or 6-0 kinda thing.

[gregregegg]

Perfect matchmaking, probably priest 7-1 but a competitive fight.

As a prospect you don’t want this every fight (needs some ko highlights and some easy nights that you can back up quickly) but if you can get a couple of fights like this a year, then a few easier ones mixed in that’s great development.

[skanksta]

80-72, 79-73 and a 76-76 draw.

Odd, but good judging - it was half shoutout, half draw.

Good learning fight.

[gregregegg]

It was competitive no doubt, I do struggle to find a draw there though, so the MD on the record is a bit harsh. But wins a win.

First iv seen if him , fun to watch but a Long way to go for priest. But at 24 with backing if he is good enough he will be in a nice spot in a few years.

[gregregegg]

That’s a no contest surely? They stopped it because of the cut. Cut was for a head clash.

[gregregegg]

Oh corner stopped it, I thought dr got in the ring.