Gesta and Morales fight to Technical decision draw

Mercito Gesta and Carlos Morales battled to a technical decision draw in a scheduled 10-round lightweight bout at The Belasco theater in Los Angeles

After a headbutt in round four, Morales was cut over the right eye, and the bout was stopped after the 6th

The cards were 58-56 Morales and 57-57 twice.

Morales, 135 lbs of Los Angeles is 19-4-4. Gesta, 133.6 lbs of San Diego is 33-3-3.

“What happened is that we clashed heads while coming in,” said Carlos Morales.”The ref said the cut was too deep. I had trouble seeing out of my left eye. The medicine kept getting in my eye, and I kept trying to get it out. Mercito has a lot of experience, so it was a good learning experience for me. If the fans want a rematch, we can do it.”

I wanted to keep going, and I know he wanted to keep going,” said Mercito Gesta.”But that’s the way it is. This is boxing, and it happens. We can definitely do this again if the fans want it.

Jonathan Oquendo won a 10-round unanimous decision over Charles Huerta in a super featherweight bout.

Oquendo, 129.8 lbs of Vega Alta, PR won all scorecards 100-90 and is now 31-6. Huerta, 129.4 lbs of Paramount, CA is 21-7.

“It was a tough fight, and I felt I did well,” said Jonathan Oquendo.”I hadn’t fought in about six months when I fought Lamont Roach. But I did a good job. I knew he was the kind of fighter who likes to trade and I think I used that to my advantage. I also worked the body really well. God willing, we’ll get world title shot next.”

Travell Mazion won a 10-round unanimous decision over Diego Cruz in a super welterweight bout.

Mazion, 153 lbs of Austin, TX won by scores of 98-91 and 99-90 twice and is now 16-0. Cruz, 152.8 lbs of Mexico City is 19-8-2.

Mazion was deducted a point in round seven for low blows

“I think my performance was amazing,” said Travell Mazion.”I did exactly what I wanted to do. Everybody always thinks that I’m trying to go out there to get the knockout. You don’t always go out there and go for the knockout. He was really tough. I knew he was going to come in with some hell of a shots, and he did, but I knew I was going to come up top. I would change keeping my hands a little bit and go for to the body more. That’s pretty much it. I did what my coach wanted me to do. Whatever they have for me. I’m going to spend the holidays with my family, but we’re still going to be in the gym. Always in the gym.

Oscar Acevedo remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Darel Harris in a lightweight bout.

Acevedo, 134.4 lbs of Garden City, KS won by scores of 40-37 and 40-36 twice and is now 6-0. Harris, 133.2 lbs of Sarasota, FL is 3-18-2.

“I felt good. I had to get rid of some ring rust because I hadn’t fought since March,” said Oscar Acevedo. “I’m going to go back to the gym right away and see what’s next for me.”

Evan Sanchez needed just 23 seconds to dispose of Hector Hernandez in a scheduled four-round welterweight bout.

Sanchez landed a big hook that sent Hernandez down. Upon rising to his feet, the bout was stopped.

Sanchez, 146.8 lbs of Parlier, CA is now 6-0 with five knockouts. Hernandez, 146 lbs of Durango, MX is 2-2.

“I feel honored to have been on a Golden Boy card,” said Evan Sanchez.”I appreciate every opportunity that’s been given to me. I didn’t know it would end this quick, but I knew I would get the stoppage because I have been training extra hard.”




CARLOS ‘THE SOLUTION’ MORALES TO BATTLE MERCITO ‘NO MERCY’ GESTA IN MAIN EVENT OF GOLDEN BOY DAZN THURSDAY NIGHT FIGHTS

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 17, 2019): Carlos “The Solution” Morales (19-4-3, 8 KOs) and Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (32-3-2, 17 KOs) will clash in a 10-round lightweight battle between experienced contenders in the main event of the Nov. 13 edition of Golden Boy DAZN Thursday Night Fights at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. The event will be streamed live on RingTV.com and on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The series will also be available on regional sports networks around the nation.

Morales is a 29-year-old former regional champion who exceeded all expectations despite beginning his career with a record of one loss and three draws. Contrary to what one might expect from a start like that, the native of Tulancingo, Hidalgo, Mexico then began a 16-fight win streak, including huge victories against Luis Franco for the NABA Super Featherweight Title and Charles Huerta to defend that belt. Morales has had some setbacks since then, but against tough fighters such as former world champion Alberto “Explosivo” Machado, Ryan Garcia and Rene Alvarado. However, Morales is now campaigning at 135 pounds, where he has already scored two victories and is looking for a big challenge in Gesta.

“I’m back in the gym training very hard,” said Carlos Morales. “I feel strong. I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring and exciting my fans with another knockout win!”

Gesta is a 31-year-old Filipino contender who has challenged for a world title on two occasions. Indeed, Gesta faced former world champion Miguel “Titere” Vazquez in 2012 and challenged former unified champion Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares in 2018. Though facing a tough upset loss to Juan Antonio “Mozo” Rodriguez in the first installment of Golden Boy DAZN Thursday Night Fights, Gesta has joined forces with Marvin Somodio and is looking for another shot at a world title.

“I’m very thankful to my Golden Boy Family for always believing in me,” said Mercito Gesta. “Come November 14, I’ll be ready and in great shape. I learned a lot from my last fight. With my team, my Dad, and my head trainer Marvin Somodio, I’m going to be well prepared to face the talented Carlos Morales.”

In the co-main event, Charles Huerta (21-6, 12 KOs) of Paramount, Calif. will face Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (30-6, 19 KOs) of Bayamon, Puerto Rico in a 10-round fight for the WBO Latino Super Featherweight Title. Both men are eager to reach a top spot in the 130-pound rankings, which make a victory extremely necessary in this fight. Needless to say, these contenders plan to steal the show on Nov. 14.

“I’m excited for the opportunity ahead of me,” said Charles Huerta. “This will be my third fight this year, and I’m ready to step up and face serious contenders like Jonathan Oquendo. I can’t wait until fight night.”

“Everyone knows that my last fight did not go too well, but these things happen in boxing,” said Jonathan Oquendo. “Now I have another opportunity, a fight for the WBO Latino Title. It’s a great opportunity to once again be on the pathway to a world title. I expect this to be a great fight. Huerta is a warrior, so it will be a tremendous battle.”

Travell “Black Magic” Mazion (15-0, 12 KOs) of Austin, Texas will fight in a 10-round super welterweight battle.

Martin Saldaña (12-0, 5 KOs) of North Hollywood, Calif. will participate in a six-round super welterweight clash.

Edgar “Kid Neza” Valerio (13-1, 8 KOs) ofNezahualcoyotl, Mexico will make his highly anticipated return in a six-round featherweight fight against experienced warrior Diuhl Olguin (14-12-3, 9 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Oscar “El Motorcito” Acevedo (5-0) de Garden City, Kansas will return in a four-round super featherweight bout.

Rene Moreno (2-0, 2 KOs) of Las Vegas will open the night in a four-round super featherweight fight.

Opponents for the undercard will be announced shortly.

Morales vs. Gesta is a 10-round lightweight fight presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Tecate “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING.” The fights will take place on Thursday, Nov. 14 at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. The event will be streamed live on RingTV.com and on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The series will also be available on regional sports networks around the nation. To see when and where the series is available in your area, click here.

Tickets for Morales vs. Gesta are now on sale and start at $30, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are available for purchase by clicking here.

Media interested in covering Morales vs. Gesta must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are due Monday, Nov. 11 at 5:00 p.m. PT, and can be found here. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval for a credential. You cannot transfer your credentials to someone else. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #MoralesGesta, #ThursdayNightFights and #TNF.

Videos and images are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/MoralesGesta. Credit must be given to Golden Boy for any photos/video.




Diaz decisions Huerta

Joseph Diaz, Jr. won a 10-round unanimous decision over Charles Huerta in a super featherweight bout.

Diaz, 129.8 lbs of South El Monte, CA won by scores of 99-91 on all cards, and is now 28-1.  Huerta, 130 lbs of Paramount, CA is 20-6.

Adrian Estrella won a 10-round split decision over previously undefeated Oscar Duarte in a lightweight bout.

Estrella was cut over the right eye in round six.

Estrella won two cards by scores of 98-92 and 96-94. Duarte won a card 97-93.

Estrella, 135 lbs of Nuevo Leon, MEX is now 29-3. Duarte, 135 lbs of Parral, MEX is 15-1-1.

Taureano Johnson and Fernando Castaneda battled to an eight-round draw in a middleweight contest.

Each fighter won a card 77-75 and a 3rd card read even at 76-76.

Jihnson, 163,2 lbs of Nassau, BAH is now 20-2-1.  Catstaneda, 164 lbs of Aguascalientes, MEX is 26-13-1.

Former world title challenger Azat Hovhannisyan stopped Lolito Sonson in round five of a scheduled ten-round super bantamweight bout.

In round one, Hovhannisyan was deducted a point for a low blow. In round five, Hovhannisyan dropped Sonsona with a right to the body. Hovhannisyan sent Sonsona down again with a follow up flurry, and the bout was stopped at 2:23.

Hovhannisyan, 121.8 lbs of Los Angeles, is 16-3 with 13 knockouts. Sonsona, 122 lbs of General Santos City, PHL is 22-3-4.