In an exciting toe-to-toe war, Mercito Gesta won a 10-round unanimous decision over Joel Diaz Jr. in a lightweight bout at the Fantasy Springs Hotel Resort in Indio, California

In round one, Gesta dropped Diaz with a right. Later in the round, Gesta landed a hard flurry that was followed up with a left that sent Diaz into the ropes for a second knockdown. In round two, Gesta was cut on the bridge of his nose.

In round six, Diaz was swelling from his let eye and bleeding from his mouth. Diaz was able to get in some good offense, but every time the fight tide seemed to be turning, Gesta would land either a hard straight left or a nice right hook. The two thrilled the crowd to the final bell.

Gesta landed 197 of 630 punches; Diaz was 172 of 613.

Gesta, 134.8 lbs of San Diego, CA won by scores of 96-92 twice and 95-93 and is now 33-3-3. Diaz, 134.6 lbs of Palmdale, CA is 26-3.

“I feel energized, knowing I have an upcoming baby that has made me want to go back in the ring,” said Mercito Gesta. “We have been trying for six years, and we are blessed with this new life. I am so happy. When they said that there is ring rust, I don’t think I have that because I have been working hard and staying in shape. Joel Diaz, Jr. is a tough fighter, and winning and having such a great performance is going to open the doors for me in the sport.”

“Mercito is a tough opponent,” said Joel Diaz, Jr. “I was giving him a lot of hard punches, but I couldn’t catch him. There is still a lot that I need to work on, focusing on landing my punches and staying patient. I was going out there looking for the kill, but that’s not always going to happen.”

Jousce Gonzalez stopped Jairo Lopez in round six, of their eight-round lightweight bout.

In round two, Gonzalez dropped Lopez with an uppercut. In round three, Gonzalez dropped a now-bloody Lopez with a combination. In round five, Gonzalez started to bleed around his right eye.

In round six, Gonzalez landed a big flurry that was punctuated by a big uppercut and the fight was stopped at 2:29.

Gonzalez, 134.4 lbs of Covina, CA is 12-0-1 with 11 knockouts. Lopez, 133.2 lbs of Apodaca, MEX is 27-15.

“I give my performance a six out of ten,” said Jousce Gonzalez. “This is my first fight back, and I know I can do better. He is a very resilient fighter, but I knew I was landing my shots and hurting him. I knew he was taking some punishment, so I wasn’t surprised when the referee waved the fight off. I am just happy to be back in the ring and want to aim to fight big names in the division.”

Manuel Flores remained undefeated with a third-round stoppage over Victor Ruiz in a scheduled eight-round super bantamweight bout.

In round three, Flores dropped Ruiz with a hard combination. Seconds later, it was a big left that sent Ruiz to the canvas. Finally it was a straight left that put Ruiz down and the fight was stopped at 2:21.

Flores, 119.4 lbs of Coachella, CA is now 12-0 with nine knockouts. Ruiz, 119.6 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 23-13.

“I am so happy to be here and fight in front of all my family and friends,” said Manuel Flores.  “I want to thank all the local fans that came out to support; it gives me much more motivation to continue fighting.”

Jan Salvatierra stopped Ernie Marquez in round two of their six-round flyweight bout.

In round two, Salvatierra dropped Marquez with a right hand. Marquez looked like he twisted his ankle and the fight was stopped at 2:26.

Salvatierra, 111.6 lbs of Cabo San Lucas, MEX is now 8-1 with four knockouts. Marquez, 110.8 lbs of Fort Morgan, CO is now 10-18-2.

“First of all I want to thank God and Golden Boy for the opportunity to fight tonight,” said Jan Salvatierra.  “We have had a great training camp, preparing since January for anything that could pop up. We trained to go the distance. I was expecting more from my opponent, hoping that his experience would bring more to the table. But unfortunately he sustained an injury and things happen for a reason. I want to be active for the rest of the year and hopefully fight for a regional title soon.”

Jorge Chavez stopped Jonathan Tejeda in round two of the scheduled four-round super featherweight fight.

In round two, Chavez dropped Tejeda with an overhand right to the side of the head, and the fight was stopped at 1:04.

Chavez, 127.8 lbs of San Diego, CA is 2-0 with two knockouts. Tejeda, 124.8 lbs of Mexico City, MEX is 0-2.

“I loved being able to fight at Fantasy Springs; all my friends and family were able to come to see me in a more intimate venue,” said Jorge Chavez. “I am happy I got the victory, but every fight is a learning experience. We will continue to grow, learn, and just get better and better every fight.” 

LOS ANGELES (April 13, 2022) – Boxing’s most beloved heavyweight fighter, Gerry Cooney is set as the special VIP Guest at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on the April 21st fight card. The event features Golden Boy returning to its Coachella Valley home and is headlined by Palmdale’s Joel Diaz, Jr. (26-2, 22 KOs) and San Diego’s Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (32-3-3, 17 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight battle. The co-main event of the night Jousce “Tito” Gonzalez (11-0-1, 10 KOs) from Glendora, CA, will face Jairo Lopez (27-14, 17 KOs) of Apodaca, Mexico in an 8-round 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. Undefeated prospect Manuel Flores (11-0, 8 KOs) of Coachella, CA, will take on the experienced Victor Ruiz (23-12, 16 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico in an 8-round super bantamweight fight. Also, part of the DAZN broadcast, Los Cabos, Mexico’s Jan Salvatierra (7-1, 3 KOs) will participate in a 6-round flyweight event, and Hawaii’s Asa Stevens (2-0, 1 KOs) is scheduled for a 4-round bantamweight bout. All the fights will be streamed live, exclusively, on DAZN worldwide starting at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET.

Best known for his epic battles against George Foreman and Larry Holmes, Gerry Cooney challenged for the WBC and Lineal Heavyweight World Championship titles in 1982 and the Lineal Heavyweight World Championship in 1987. The heavy-handed, Cooney compiled a professional record of 28 wins and 3 losses, with 24 knockouts and not one of his fights ever went the distance. He is currently ranked number 53 on The Ring’s list of “100 Greatest Punchers of All Time” and according to George Foreman, Gerry Cooney was one of the three hardest punchers he had faced in his career. As the VIP guest, Cooney will be in attendance for the fights and will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center before the DAZN livestream begins. The meet-and-greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the event.

Tickets for Diaz Jr. vs. Gesta are on sale now and 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 event was sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” 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

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 25, 2022) – Golden Boy returns to its home in the Coachella Valley, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, CA, on April 21 for an exciting matchup between Palmdale’s Joel Diaz, Jr. (26-2, 22 KOs) and San Diego’s Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (32-3-3, 17 KOs). The 10-round super lightweight event will also feature Southern California’s bright star Jousce “Tito” Gonzalez (11-0-1, 10 KOs) from Glendora, CA, in an 8-round co-main lightweight bout against the experienced Jairo Lopez (27-14, 17 KOs) of Apodaca, Mexico. Also on the card, San Diego’s top prospect Jorge Chavez (1-0, 1 KOs) is scheduled for a 4-round super featherweight fight; undefeated prospect Manuel Flores (11-0, 8 KOs) of Coachella, CA, will participate in an 8-round super bantamweight fight; and Los Cabos, Mexico’s Jan Salvatierra (7-1, 3 KOs) will face an opponent to be announced in a 6-round flyweight event. The event will be streamed live on DAZN worldwide.

More information regarding opponents will be announced shortly.

“We are so excited to return to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino for this event,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman, and CEO of Golden Boy. “It has been Golden Boy’s home in the Coachella Valley, and we are excited to bring a DAZN fight night that they will enjoy for the first time in 2022.”

“We are passionate about building fighters at DAZN, and we are incredibly excited about this event,” said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. “This show will feature the brightest talents in boxing and so tune in to catch a first glimpse of the stars of tomorrow, live and worldwide on DAZN.”

Tickets for Diaz Jr. vs. Gesta are on sale now, Friday, March 25, 2022 at 11 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 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

In an action packed war, Maliek Montgomery won a 10-round unanimous decision over Aleem Jumakhonov in a featherweight battle in Bakersfield, California.

The two banged away on the inside, landing heavy shots. Montgomery landed many more and some thudding shots that swelled the left eye of Jumakhonov.

Montgomery landed 339 of 973 punches; Jumakhonov was 185 of 864.

Montgomery, 126 lbs of Macon, GA won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 and is now 11-0. Jumakhonov, 125 lbs of Resada, CA is 9-4-2.

Juarez Decisions Lopez

Omar Juarez won a eight-round unanimous decision over Jairo Lopez in super lightweight fight.

In round five, Juarez landed a big right that sent Lopez to a knee.

Juarez landed 195 of 557 punches; Lopez was 103 of 466.

Juarez, 142 lbs of Brownsville, TX won by scores of 80-71, and 79-72 twice and is now 12-1. Lopez, 141 lbs of Nuvo Leon, MEX is 23-14.

Barrientes Decisions Torres

Angel Barrientes won a six-round unanimous decision over Victor Torres in a super bantamweight fight.

In round three, Barrientes began to bleed from the nose.

Barrientes landed 118 of 344 punches; Torres was 60 of 344.

Barrientes, 121.4 lbs of Las Vegas, NV won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 6-1. Torres, 121.6 lbs of Modesto, CA is 7-9-1.

BAKERSFIELD, CA. (September 15, 2021) – Exciting super lightweight Omar “El Relámpago” Juárez will return to action against Mexico’s Jairo Lopez in FS1 PBC Fight Night action and on FOX Deportes this Sunday, September 19 from Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California.

The FS1 telecast on Sunday begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and is headlined by undefeated super featherweight prospect Maliek Montgomery facing Aleem Jumakhonov in a 10-round bout.

Sunday’s lineup follows FS1 PBC Fight Night taking place on Saturday, September 18, also at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California, which begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and which features rising lightweight prospect Jose Valenzuela putting his unbeaten record on the line against Colombia’s Deiner Berrio in the 10-round main event.

Tickets for the live events, which are promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and available at AXS.com.

Here is what Juarez had to say about training camp, bouncing back from his first pro loss and more:

On his recent training camp:
“For this camp I headed out to Las Vegas to get elite sparring with some of the best fighters in the sport. I felt I needed to make a change with my conditioning as well. I spent a lot of time running in high elevation up at Mt. Charleston. It was a great experience holding camp in Vegas and I know I’ll be better prepared going into this fight as opposed to my last one.”

On his matchup with Jairo López:
“López is a very durable opponent who has been in the ring with a lot of good fighters. I’m expecting the best version of himself, because everyone has been training hard during the pandemic. I’m going to set the pace and fight my fight.”

On what a win will do for his career:
“I’m coming off my first defeat as a professional and I’m eager to get back in the win column. I had to do a lot of soul searching but I’m confident that I can rebound with a spectacular performance. A nice win against a tough guy like López will put me back on track to bigger fights”

On fighting on FS1:
“Fighting on FS1 is a true blessing and something I don’t take for granted. Not many fighters are able to showcase their talent on a major platform, so I’m grateful for my team and everyone who continues to believe in me. I’m ready to put on a great show for the fans.”

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Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. remained perfect by stopping former world champion Maurice Hooker in seven entertaining rounds at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

The two stood toe-to-toe for most of the fight Ortiz landed the harder blows as he rocked Hooker several times. Hooker was able to get in some good shots of his own and the effects of those punches showed on the swelled up face of Ortiz.

In round six, Ortiz landed a hard right that sent Hooker back to the corner and eventually down.

In round seven, it was a right to the side of the head that sent Hooker to a knee, and the fight was over at 36 seconds.

Ortiz, 147 lbs of Grand Prairie, TX is 17-0 with knockouts, Hooker, 147 lbs of Dallas, TX is 27-2-3.

Estrada Decisions Ortiz; Wins WBA Minimumweight title

Seniesa Estrada won the WBA Minimumweight Title with a 10-round unanimous decision over long reigning champ Anabel Ortiz.

In round two, Estrada put Ortiz on the deck with a big left hand.

Estrada landed 163 of 511 punches; Ortiz was 102 of 373.

Estrada, 104.4 lbs of E. Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 100-89 twice and 99-90 and is now 20-0. Ortiz, 105 lbs of Mexico City, MEX is 31-4.

Marcelino Lopez stops Jairo Lopez in five

Marcelino Lopez stopped Jairo Lopez in round five of a scheduled 10-round welterweight bout.

In round two, Marcelino dropped Jairo with a left hook. In round three, it was a right that sent Jairo to a knee. In round four, Jairo went down from what looked like a push, yet was scored a knockdown. In the same round Marcelino was cut over his left eye from an accidental headbutt. In round five, Marcelino dropped Jairo in the corner for the 10-count, and the fight was over at 1:24.

Marcelino, 140.8 lbs of Arribenos, ARG is 37-2-1 with 22 knockouts. Jairo, 139.2 lbs of Apodaca, MEX is 27-12.

Kalkreuth Blows Out Long in 1

Tristan Kalkreuth destroyed Dustin Long in round one of a scheduled six-round cruiserweight fight.

Kalkreuth landed a huge barrage of punches in the corner and finally sent Long to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 1:18.

Kalkreuth, 198 lbs of Duncanville, TX is now 8-0 with six knockouts. Long, 199.8 lbs of Johnson City, TN is now 4-2-2.

Alex Martin won a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Luis Hernandez in a junior welterweight bout.

Martin, 140 lbs of Chicago, IL won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91 and is now 16-3. Hernandez, 139.4 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX is 21-1.

George Rincon won a eight-round unanimous decision over Luis Solis in a super lightweight bout.

Rincon, 139.2 lbs of Dallas, TX is 11-0. Solis, 139.8 lbs of Merida, MEX is 25-12-4.

Hector Valdez won a eight-round unanimous decision over Alberto Torres in a super bantamweight bout.

Valdez, 121.6 lbs of Dallas, TX is 14-0. Torres, 121.4 lbs of Sacramento, CA is 11-4-3.

Zhankosh Turarov stopped Mauro Godoy in round three of a scheduled 10-round super lightweight bout at Barys Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Turarov dropped Gody with hard left hook in the 3rd frame. Godoy got to his feet, but was in no-condition to continue at 2:00.

Turarov, 139.7 lbs of Akko, KAZ is 24-0 with 17 knockouts. Godoy, 139.6 lbs of Argentina is 32-5-1.

Nordine Oubaali retained the WBC Bantamweight title with a stoppage in the 7th round over Arthur Villanueva.

In round six, Oubaali dropped Villanueva with a hard right uppercut. Villanueva continued to take a beating in the 6th round, and the bout was halted at the beginning of round seven.

Oubaali, 117.5 lbs of Bagnolet, FRA made the 1st defense of his crown, and is now 16-0 with 12 knockouts. Villanueva, 117.5 lbs of Balcod City, PHL is 32-4-1.

Viktor Kotochigov won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jairo Lopez in a lightweight contest.

Kotochigov, 134.9 lbs of Amaty, KAZ won by scores of 99-91, 98-93 and 99-93 to stay perfect at 10-0. Lopez, 134 lbs of Apdoca, MEX is 24-11.

In round four, Kotochigov was cut over the right eye.

David Oliver Joyce remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Breilor Teran in a featherweight bout.

Joyce of Ireland won by scores of 100-89, 100-87 and 100-86, and is now 11-0. Teran of Caracas, Venezuela is 27-18-1.