Philippines, 23 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


JOEL DIAZ, JR VS. MERCITO GESTA: FIGHTER WORKOUT QUOTES

PhilBoxing.com



Mercito Gesta (R) hits the mitts with trainer Marvin Somodio.

INDIO, CA (April 19, 2022) - Palmdale’s Joel Diaz, Jr. (26-2, 22 KOs) and San Diego’s Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (32-3-3, 17 KOs) hosted a media workout today ahead of their 10-round lightweight fight on Thursday, April 21st at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, CA. Also in attendance was undefeated prospect Manuel Flores (11-0, 8 KOs) of Coachella, CA, who is set to face the veteran Victor Ruiz (23-12, 16 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico in an 8-round super bantamweight fight.

The card will feature other Southern California prospect fighters including Jousce “Tito” Gonzalez (11-0-1, 10 KOs) from Glendora, CA, taking on Jairo Lopez (27-14, 17 KOs) of Apodaca, Mexico in an 8-round co-main lightweight bout. Also on the card, San Diego’s top prospect Jorge Chavez (1-0, 1 KOs) is scheduled for a 4-round super featherweight fight against Miguel Marquez (0-2) from Phoenix, AZ. Finally, Los Cabos, Mexico’s Jan Salvatierra (7-1, 3 KOs) will participate in a 6-round flyweight event against Ernie Marquez (10-17-2, 3 KOs) of Fort Morgan, CO. The fights will be streamed live on DAZN worldwide and also on the Golden Boy Boing YouTube channel starting at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET.

Below are what the fighter’s had to say about their upcoming fights.


Joel Diaz Jr (right).

JOEL DIAZ, JR, LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER:

“I feel on top of the world headlining a card on Golden Boy and DAZN. This is a big opportunity for me and I will make sure to take advantage of it.

“I have some unfinished business at 135. I went up to 140 because a had a good opportunity but I do feel like I still have a lot to do at 135. This weight is comfortable for me, and I want to continue where I left off.

“I do have to make a statement against Mercito Gesta to show who Joel Diaz, Jr. is. Inside of the ring you will see the brawler but we are going to be more patient and be ready to go the distance. I have a new trainer. I have new skills and I am ready to put those skills on display during this fight.”

MERCITO GESTA, LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER:

“I think my experience will give me the edge on this fight. I need to be smart and use my experience and speed to be able to secure the victory on Thursday.

“It’s a great comeback fight for me and for him as well. I know we have both been off for a while but I have kept myself busy, kept training to stay in shape.

“I have fought hard-hitting guys in the past. I have fought pressure fighters. When I faced Oscar Mesa he was also a hard puncher, a knock-out fighter, but I won that fight. So, it’s not new to me, I am used to this type of fighter. I feel confident in my abilities and fans will see that on Thursday night.

“I do believe that if I give a good performance on Thursday I will be put up on the list of the lightweight division and hopefully get bigger fights. I have been working very hard everyday even though I didn’t have a fight scheduled. I wanted to stay busy and stay in shape. Hopefully all the training and sparring will pay off and I will do very well on Thursday.”

MANUEL FLORES, BANTAMWEIGHT PROSPECT:

“This is going to be my second fight this year, but the first time in my hometown since 2015 when I was still in the amateurs. It’s a blessing to be able to have the support of my friends and family here in the Coachella Valley. I am now able to showcase my skills as a professional.

“My opponent has a lot of experience and I have made sure to prepare for it. I know he is a south paw so we have selected sparring partners that are lefties so I can have an idea of what it will be like to face someone like him.

“I want to get in as many fights as I can this year and staying active. I like that these shows are at Fantasy Springs, there is a big boxing fan base here.”

Tickets for Diaz Jr. vs. Gesta are on sale now, Friday, March 25, 2022 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets are priced at $45, $35 and $25 plus applicable facility fees and service charges. Tickets are available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Diaz, Jr. vs. Gesta is a 10-round super lightweight fight presented by Golden Boy. The fight is sponsored by

The fight will take place on Thursday, April 21 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, CA, and will be streamed live worldwide on DAZN.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and 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 #DiazJrGesta #GBFightNight




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS DOUBLE MAIN EVENTS SET AS JULIUS “JUJU” BALLO SQAURES OFF AGAINST ROMAN REYES AT FRONTWAVE ARENA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
    , Mon, 23 Mar 2026
  • "I'M A MAN OF MY WORD": GEORGE LIDDARD COMPLETES MATCHROOM BRENTWOOD HALF MARATHON FOR CHARITY – HOURS AFTER DENNY WIN
    , Mon, 23 Mar 2026
  • Lester Martinez Wins WBC Interim World Super Middleweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Immanuwel Aleem
    , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • IBF Pan Pacific champion Vince Paras set to face unbeaten OPBF champion Aoi Yokoyama in Kyrgyzstan
    , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • King James sets NBA all-time record for most games played
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • Loaded boxing schedule
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • WEIGHTS, IMAGES, RUNNING ORDER AND THE LAST WORDS AHEAD OF ADAMES VS. WILLIAMS IN ORLANDO
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • COPPER BOX ARENA FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS LIDDARD AND DENNY FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TIME
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Martinez vs. Aleem’ Event from the NOS Event Center in San Bernardino and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Jordan Orozco Training Camp Notes
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Towns vs. Bordin for PAT Belt; De Barbo, Nancholas, Samiei in Supporting Bouts at Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Pattaya Beach, Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • YOENIS TELLEZ TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James ties the most game played in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Pichay supports GM Antonio's Australian chess circuit campaign
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • LIDDARD-DENNY PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF SATURDAY'S COPPER BOX FIGHT NIGHT
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: The WBC Continues the Fight for the Good of the Sport
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • AMMO: ADAMES FIGHT WILL BE EXPLOSIVE
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Carlos De Leon Training Camp Notes
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • The Highly Anticipated  Box Fan Expo Invitational 2026 Returns with A  USA Boxing Amateur Show
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Placibe, Sales tops Sprint Challenge
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Lester Martinez vs. Immanuwel Aleem Los Angeles Media Day Quotes
    , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • MAPUA, PSKAI R-10 to play in Best of Best
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • IIEE Metro East dominates the 4th D’ Engineers’ Darts Cup 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • LIDDARD: WHY I'M RUNNING MATCHROOM HALF MARATHON AFTER TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST DENNY
    , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: DAZN and Top Rank Sign Multi-Year Rights Deal
    , Thu, 19 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.