Super Lightweights Back In The Ring At Fantasy Springs Thursday

INDIO, CA —Super lightweights Mercito "No Mercy" Gesta and Joel Diaz Jr. will fight in the scheduled 10-round main event of a boxing card at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio Thursday evening.

Gesta (32-3-3, 17 knockouts) will be fighting for the first time since Nov. 14, 2019, when he fought a 10-round draw with Carlos Morales at the Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

Gesta has fought twice for the world lightweight championship, losing unanimous decisions to Miguel Vazquez for the International Boxing Federation championship Dec. 8, 2012, and Jorge Linares for the World Boxing Association championship Jan. 27, 2018.

Gesta won the regional North American Boxing Organization lightweight championship on June 14, 2018, with a majority decision over Robert Manzanarez.
Gesta was born in the Philippines, where he fought his first 11 professional fights.

"I think my experience will give me the edge on this fight," said Gesta, who now lives in San Diego. "I need to be smart and use my experience and speed to be able to secure the victory."

The 30-year-old Diaz won his first 22 professional fights, but has lost two of his five bouts since then. He was knocked out in the second round June 9, 2017, by then-North American Boxing Federation super lightweight champion Regis Prograis and in the third round by Cristian Rafael Coria on Feb 10, 2019.

Diaz has recorded knockouts in his last two fights, including a second- round knockout of Francisco Gabriel Pina Aug. 20 in his latest fight, improving to 26-2 with 22 knockouts.

"Inside of the ring you will see the brawler but we are going to be more patient and be ready to go the distance," said Diaz, who was born in Glendale and lives in Palmdale. "I have new skills and I am ready to put those skills on display during this fight."

Gesta weighed in 134.8 pounds, two-tenths under the super lightweight limit. Diaz weighed in at 134.6.

The card also includes a scheduled eight-round super bantamweight fight between Manuel Flores (11-0, 8 KOs) of Coachella and Mexican Victor Ruiz (23-12, 16 KOs).

Former heavyweight contender Gerry Cooney will sign autographs and pose for pictures with all ticket holders in the casino's Special Events Center before the DAZN livestream begins.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the first fight beginning at 6 p.m. The event will also be shown on Golden Boy Boxing YouTube page.