Photo Credit: © Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Joseph Diaz Jr. vs. Mercito Gesta 

On March 18th, 2023, Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez will face Gabriel Rosado in what promises to be an exciting Light Heavyweight division showdown at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California. Both fighters have impressive records, and fans are eagerly anticipating what will be an intense 12-round battle between two experienced warriors. 

In the following sections, I will provide a detailed preview of each fighter, looking at their past performances, notable skills, and potential game plans for the upcoming bout. Based on this analysis, I will then make a final prediction on the likely outcome of the fight. So buckle up and get ready for a detailed breakdown of what could be one of the most exhilarating fights of the year.

Joseph Diaz Jr.

Joseph Diaz Jr. is a fighter with a lot of experience and a good track record in professional boxing. Diaz was a member of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team at the 2012 Games in London, England, where he went 1-1 as a bantamweight. He also reached the quarterfinals of the 2011 World Amateur Championships. Diaz turned pro in December 2012, and since then, he has fought 275 rounds, winning 32 fights, losing 3, and drawing 1. Diaz's fighting style is categorized as a slugger, and he has gone the distance in nine of his last 10 fights.

Diaz's professional career highlights include winning the NABF and WBO-NABO Featherweight Titles and the WBA Gold Super Featherweight Crown. He lost his first world title shot when he dropped a unanimous decision to WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr. in May 2018. However, he later won the IBF Super Featherweight Title against Tevin Farmer via unanimous decision in 2020. Unfortunately, Diaz lost the title in his next fight when he failed to make weight against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in February 2021, and the fight ended in a draw.

In his next fight, Diaz won the WBC interim belt with a unanimous decision over Javier Fortuna but lost it against Devin Haney. Diaz then suffered back-to-back losses to William Zepeda in his last outing. Despite his recent losses, Diaz's experience as a member of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team and his world title bouts make him a seasoned and skilled fighter. Diaz has shown resilience and the ability to adapt to various fighting styles in his career, which may come in handy against Gesta's slugger style. Diaz has an average power in his fists, with a current knockout ratio of 41.7%, and he stands 5-feet-6-inches tall with a 64-inch inch reach.

Mercito Gesta

Mercito Gesta is a Filipino fighter who has been in the professional boxing circuit for a long time. Gesta turned pro in 2003, just after he turned 16 years old, and since then, he has boxed 254 rounds, winning 33 fights, losing 3, and drawing 3. Gesta's fighting style is categorized as a slugger, and he has one stoppage in his last nine fights.

Gesta suffered his first loss in a shot at the IBF Lightweight Title against Miguel Vazquez in 2012. However, he went on an undefeated streak until Jorge Linares beat him by unanimous decision in 2018, and then he lost to Juan Antonio Rodriguez in 2019. Gesta's three draws were a six-round technical decision with Carlos Morales in 2019, 10 rounds with Carlos Molina in 2015, and a two-round technical affair against Rey Llagas in 2005.

Gesta's notable victories include winning the vacant WBO NABO Youth, and WBO NABO Lightweight Titles. Gesta stands 5-feet-7-inches tall with a 68-inch reach, which gives him an inch edge in height and three inches in reach over Diaz. Although Gesta's power isn't overwhelming, with a current knockout ratio of 43.6%, he has the potential to land power shots. However, Gesta's chin has been called into question, making him vulnerable to Diaz's power punches.

Despite his losses, Gesta's experience and skill make him a formidable opponent. Like Diaz, Gesta's fighting style is categorized as a slugger, and both fighters have fan-friendly styles that should make the fight an exciting one. Gesta's ability to land power shots and his aggressive style can make it difficult for Diaz to control the pace and distance of the fight. However, Gesta's questionable chin and susceptibility to being dropped make him a risky fighter, especially against someone like Diaz, who has shown the ability to capitalize on his opponents' weaknesses.

Gesta's notable wins over Martin Honorio, Gilberto Gonzalez, Miguel Angel Mendoza, Ty Barnett, Ricardo Dominguez, Oscar Meza, and Jorge Pimentel show that he is capable of beating quality opponents. However, to win against Diaz, Gesta will have to bring his A-game and overcome his past losses and weaknesses.

Prediction

Although both fighters have slugger styles, Joseph Diaz Jr. has an advantage over Mercito Gesta in several areas. Diaz's experience as a member of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team and his world title bouts make him a seasoned and skilled fighter. Diaz also has an edge in height and reach, which may help him control the fight and avoid Gesta's power punches. Furthermore, Diaz has shown resilience and the ability to adapt to various fighting styles in his career, which may come in handy against Gesta's slugger style. Diaz's technical skills and experience may prove to be the deciding factors in the fight. Diaz's ability to control the pace and distance of the fight, combined with his superior boxing IQ, may enable him to outbox Gesta and win the fight by decision.

Pick: Joseph Diaz Jr. to win by Decision -200

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