DAZN & Golden Boy Promotions will join a packed Friday fight night as they feature their lightweight contender William Zepeda (28-0, 24 KOs) going up against Mercito Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs). It’s a good fight for both men as Zepeda continues to sharpen his blade, and Gesta has had a late surge with his latest victory over Joseph (JoJo) Diaz.
IS WILLIAM ZEPEDA THE MOST SLEPT-ON CONTENDER AT LIGHTWEIGHT?
Coming soon... 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞: 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐌 𝐙𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐃𝐀
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) September 13, 2023
Subscribe 🔔 to our YouTube channel for all the latest leading up to fight night! Click the link in our bio to check it out 👀 #ZepedaGesta | LIVE on DAZN September 16th pic.twitter.com/mJvoj3l172
Zepeda isn’t mentioned amongst the elite lightweights but has earned the right to be. The issue is that he is falling into that category of a fighter that no one wants to face, so he is forced to stay active with fighters on the back half of their career like Gesta. Zepeda will have to make a big statement on Friday and demand a fight against the likes of Shakur Stevenson, Frank Martin, and everyone else in the top five. There is no more waiting around, as the time is now for Zepeda.
Regarding the fight, Gesta will try to use movement and different angles to get the best of Zepeda, but that won’t work. Zepeda is peaking right now and will throw caution to the wind, apply enormous pressure on Gesta, and force him to take risks. Once that happens, the opening Zepeda is looking for will be there for the taking.
MERCITO GESTA AND HIS LAST STAND
Gesta is likable and heavily supported in Southern California, but at 35, this may very well be his last stand. He needs a victory over Zepeda to continue his latest run, but can Gesta compete with a fighter approaching his physical prime? It’s a hard ask, but Gesta is a warrior who will give his best. Gesta will have to take some chances in the ring on Friday night, but it looks like this won’t go well for him, and he’ll have to start thinking about a future outside of boxing.
WILLIAM ZEPEDA VS. MERCITO GESTA PREDICTION
Zepeda is going to jump on top of Gesta from the start, and it will lead to a fourth-round knockout.
#ZepedaGesta fight week is here!! Get ready for an epic showdown this saturday! 🇲🇽🆚🇵🇭 WHO'S READY!? 🔥#ZepedaGesta | LIVE on DAZN September 16th pic.twitter.com/HHxvtn3r55
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) September 11, 2023
WILLIAM ZEPEDA VS. MERCITO GESTA BETTING ODDS
Per BetOnline.ag, William Zepeda is the favorite at -2000 (Over 6 ½ rounds -105), and Mercito Gesta is the underdog at +1000 (Under 6 ½ rounds -125).
WILLIAM ZEPEDA VS. MERCITO GESTA FIGHT DATE, START TIME
- Date: Saturday, September 16
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 11:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
🥊 They're up next and ready to put on a show. 🗓️ Mark your calendars for September 16th!#ZepedaGesta | LIVE on DAZN September 16th
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) September 12, 2023
tickets here: https://t.co/bLVZCjRBLy pic.twitter.com/8OQs9Dji5j
WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS WILLIAM ZEPEDA VS. MERCITO GESTA?
- U.S.: DAZN
- UK: DAZN
WILLIAM ZEPEDA VS. MERCITO GESTA FIGHT CARD
- William Zepeda vs. Mercito Gesta, 12 rounds, lightweights
- Victor Morales vs. Edwin Palomares, 10 rounds, featherweights
- Yokasta Valle vs. Maria Santizo, 10 rounds, for Valle’s IBF/WBO women’s strawweight title
- Darius Fulghum vs. Ricardo Luna, 8 rounds, light heavyweights
- Eric Priest vs. Simon Madsen, 8 rounds, middleweights
- Daniel Garcia vs. Erick Benitez, 4 rounds, junior lightweights
- Alejandro Reyes vs. Roberto Gomez, 6 rounds, junior welterweights
- Gael Cabrera vs. Juan Centeno, 4 rounds, junior featherweights
- Jordan Cervantes vs. Darek Costilla, 4 rounds, lightweights
