Philippines, 09 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MERCITO “NO MERCY” GESTA GOES THE DISTANCE AGAINST JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ AND SECURES SPLIT DECISION VICTORY

PhilBoxing.com




LONG BEACH, CA (March 18, 2023): In an action packed fight night, Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (33-3-3, 17 KOs) proved he is still in the running as one of the top fighters in his division with a split decision victory as the new main event attraction. The former world title contender defeated former world champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. (32-3-1, 15 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight event, with judges scoring the back-and-forth 91-99, 92-98, and 97-93. The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach hosted the matchup and was broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“I feel great about the outcome,” said Mercito Gesta. “We had our game plan and I listened to my corner. It was a close fight. With Coach Marvin Somodio, I have learned that I can move around a lot more and I am excited to have another full training camp with him. If I were to choose my next opponent, I want William “El Camarón” Zepeda next.”



Special guests in attendance included Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions Partner Bernard Hopkins, Actor Gabriel Soto, Actress Irina Baeva, Singer Chiquis Rivera, Radio personality Eddy “Piolin” Sotelo, Comedian Jesus Sepulveda, and various Golden Boy Fighters including Alexis Rocha, Jousce Gonzalez, Blair Cobbs, Angel “Tito” Acosta, Arely Muciño, and others.

In a sizzling super lightweight co-main event initially scheduled for 10-rounds, Chihuahua, Mexico’s Oscar Duarte (25-1-1, 19 KOs) handed Alex “Chi-Town Heat” Martin (18-5, 6 KOs) of Chicago, Illinois his first knockout defeat of his career, knocking Martin out at 1:14 in the eighth round. The fans cheered as Duarte launched two right hooks and a straight right that sent Martin straight to the mat.

“I feel very happy about this victory,” said Oscar Duarte. “This is for Parral, Chihuahua and for all the fans that came out today. We had a great rival in front of us who had tremendous experience. Being the first fighter to knock Alex Martin out gives me confirmation about my abilities and confidence in being able to one day fight for a world title. This victory tells me that I have fire in my fists and that I have the power bank to win a championship.”

In his toughest fight yet, recently signed blue-chip prospect of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Eric Tudor (8-0, 6 KOs) maintained his undefeated status and won his eight-round super welterweight fight against Damoni Cato-Cain (7-1-1, 6 KOs) of Oakland via unanimous decision. Tudor was cut in the second round due to an accidental headbutt. The judges scored it 78-74, 78-74 and 80-72.
Opening up the DAZN broadcast and making his first worldwide televised appearance, Dalis Kaleioupu (4-0, 3 KOs) of Waianae, Hawaii secured a unanimous victory over Jonathan Perez (40-35, 32 KOs) of Barranquilla, Colombia in a four-round super lightweight fight. Perez was deducted a point in round three for punching behind the head and round five for excessive holding. All three judges scored the fight 60-52 in favor of the Kaleioupu.

Featured on The Golden Boy Fight Night: Zurdo vs. Rosado Prelims streamed live on the Golden Boy Boxing YouTube page, San Diego’s Jorge Chavez (5-0, 4 KOs) added another blazing knockout to his record after sending his opponent Bryan Perez (12-17-1, 11 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua to the mat within the first 30-seconds of the first round of the originally scheduled four-round featherweight fight.

Opening up the Zurdo vs. Rosado fight night, Los Angeles’s Patricio “Cacahuate” Manuel (2-0) secured a technical knockout victory against Hien Huynh (1-2) of St. Louis, Missouri. The bout was stopped within 30-seconds of the fourth round due to a cut caused by an accidental headbutt.
###

Diaz, Jr. vs. Gesta was a 12-round super lightweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions.
The fight was sponsored by Betonline, “BetOnline, Your Online Sportsbook Experts,” and Autozone, “Get in the Zone, AutoZone.” The fight night took place on Saturday, March 18 and was broadcast on DAZN worldwide.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #ZurdoRosado




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO
    , Mon, 09 Mar 2026
  • Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Opetaia vs Glanton: Dana White Crowns First Boxing Champion. Is Fight Worthy?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • In Thrilling Showdown, Pagara Falls Short Against Polkinghorn by Points.
    , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Unofficial Unification Tournament Brewing For Welterweights
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Fight Results from Montreal: Steven Butler Obliterates Ramadan Hiseni; Wins by Lenar Perez, Jhon Orobio and Steve Claggett
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Former Champ Junior Makabu visits WBC offices in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • WEIGHTS FROM SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Weights from Atlantic City
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • PFL Releases Francis Ngannou
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Polkinghorn, Pagara at the Scales in Perth, Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Young Briton Rising Star: Callum Dan's Quest for Boxing Glory
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Chua rules Pattaya Open; pockets $22,500
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • All Star Boxing live on ESPN DEPORTES Weights from Nicaragua
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Rozicki’s Return: Presser Quotes from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Heavyweight Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo Returns to Headline “Havoc at the Hilton 3” March 7 in Florida
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • AQ Prime Chess bet Marius Zabanal Constante of Pasig City rules Elementary Division of NCR Palarong Pambansa Standard chess elims
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Battles Mexican Strongman Manuel Gallegos
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Travels to Thailand for 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Eddie Hearn Signs UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall for New Matchroom Talent Agency
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect  Ebenezer “The Stuntman” Griffith
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • International Boxing Association Strengthens Strategic Presence in Cape Verde Following High-Level Official Visit
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Asia's First GM Eugene Torre 2nd in Russia chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Champion Oscar "El Pupilo" Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of March 14 Fight
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.