Mercito Gesta continues to enjoy a late-career surge.
The 35-year-old fighter delivered a high output attack en route to getting a split decision victory over Joseph "JoJo" Diaz at The Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California on Saturday night, live on DAZN. Judges scored it 97-93 for Diaz, 99-91 for Gesta and 98-92 for Gesta. DAZN had it much closer at 96-94 for Gesta.
Gesta and Diaz were moved into the main event after the original headliner between Gilberto Ramirez and Gabe Rosado was scrapped due to Ramirez being overweight on Friday. Gesta and Diaz didn't disappoint as both delivered a close, competitive fight.
However, Gesta consistently opening rounds with more spring in his step, and as the busier boxer with the higher punch volume, spelled the major difference.
Though Diaz stalked Gesta well and won rounds where he punished the Filipino up against the ropes, Gesta was the more active boxer and peppered Diaz with more than enough punches to earn the victory. Plus, he was able to generate enough effective counters when under pressure to get the slight edge over the harder puncher.
Gesta (34-3-3 with 17 KOs) has now won two fights in a row. Meanwhile, the 30-year-old Diaz (32-4-1 with 15 KOs) has now lost three consecutive fights.
Here's how the entire Diaz-Gesta main card went.