William Zepeda provided cause for celebration on his nation’s biggest holiday.
The unbeaten contender overwhelmed former title challenger Mercito Gesta en route to a sixth-round stoppage atop a Mexican Independence Day-themed show. The 27-year-old southpaw from San Mateo Atenco, Mexico overwhelmed the San Diego-based Filipino from the start and forced the stoppage at 1:31 of round six in their DAZN-aired main event Saturday evening from Commerce Casino in Commerce, California.
Gesta never showed fear at any point in the fight and offered a world class chin for much of it. Zepeda did not waste any time to unleash his normally high-octane offense, other than a brief break when his mouthpiece was dislodged midway through the round. He immediately cut off the ring to pin down Gesta and remove any chance of lateral movement from the Filipino southpaw.
Zepeda unloaded in round two and never really turned back. Gesta spent much of the frame pinned to the ropes as Zepeda landed right hooks and left hands virtually at will. The final 30 seconds of the round saw Zepeda throw and land a barrage of power punches as Gesta was trapped but able to rely on his world class chin.
The same pattern held true in round three, after which point Zepeda already landed 158 total punches. Gesta was able to enjoy modest success in singular moments during round four in a desperate attempt to slow down the relentless Zepeda.
Blood began to flow from a cut under Gesta’s right eye in round five. The wound was the least concerning matter among his team, as Gesta appeared to have the fight beaten out of him. Zepeda landed a crushing right uppercut before he continued to batter Gesta with power punches at an otherworldly clip.
Referee Jack Reiss and the ringside doctor both gave Gesta a long hard look in between rounds. Head trainer Marvin Somodio already had thoughts about stopping the fight but wanted to gauge his fighter’s body language and perhaps give him one more shot.
Zepeda made that decision an easy one for everyone involved.
Gesta attempted to turn the tide early in round six but it didn’t take. Zepeda dug hooks and left hands to the body which completely broke down Gesta and left him unable to flee from harm’s way. The Filipino covered up and sat on the ropes as Zepeda continued with his two-fisted attack. Gesta’s corner climbed the ring apron just as Reiss waved his arms to stop the contest.
The loss ended a three-fight unbeaten streak for Gesta, who fell to 34-4-3 (17KOs). The two-time title challenger had never been dominated to this degree, in a fight he entered on the heels of a big upset win over former IBF junior lightweight titlist Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz on March 18 in Long Beach, California. At age 35, the San Diego-based boxer now has a hard decision to make about the direction of his boxing career.
Zepeda stormed to 29-0 (25KOs) with the win, his second of the year and with a major title fight well within his sights.
