By Miguel Maravilla at ringside
Unbeaten WBA #2, WBC #5, IBF #6, WBO #7 lightweight William “El Camarón” Zepeda (29-0, 25 KOs) battered and stopped two-time world title challenger Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs) on Saturday night headlining on Mexican Independence Day at the Commerce Casino & Hotel in Commerce, California. Zepeda attacked with non-stop punching and relentless pressure from the opening bell. Gesta was under fire until his corner stopped it midway through round six.
It was Zepeda that took the initiative and pressed displaying offense early on letting his hands go and connecting. The veteran Gesta had a moment in the closing seconds of the round as he connected with a solid counter right. Working on the inside in round two, Zepeda and Gesta traded away, the Mexican got the better of the exchange to close the round, Gesta suffered a cut above his right eye. Coming out attacking in round three, Zepeda had Gesta backing away and connected precisely inside as he appeared to be breaking down the Filipino. Zepeda had Gesta pinned up against the ropes in the fourth as referee Jack Reiss appeared to be keeping a close eye, as the Filipino’s cut began to bleed more.
Zepeda continued his attack in the fifth as Gesta was gassed and limited with his punches. An overwhelming and unanswered attack by Zepeda forced referee Jack Reiss to step in and stop the fight at 1:31 of the sixth.
With the win, Zepeda now stands waiting for his shot at lightweight.
Kambosos, where are you? Honestly, Kambosos vs Zepeda could be a war, also Zepeda vs Isaac Cruz, and they should forget about Shakur Stevenson, he is too good for them.
Shakur is skilled and fast but has NO pop in his punches at 130 so 135 isnt going to be any better if anything his chin will be tested hence why he will duck Tank and Cruz hell he dont that smoke with Superhype Garcia
Pernell Whitaker had “No pop” and outclassed many. Stevenson is no Whitaker. Haha duck Cruz? Did you see Cruz’s last fight? He was swinging and missing his opponent by a mile most of the fight. Why do you think Cruz is so good. Because he had a close fight with a one-handed Tank or because he destroyed an over the hill Gamboa? As for ducking Tank, I’m a Tank fan but he has yet to fight a guy on the level of Lomachenko, Devin Haney, etc. Ryan Garcia was dangerous in his own right but he’s not at that top level.
Hawnjay…Whitaker was a nasty fighter…Whitaker would beat the crap out of his opponents…Stand in front of his opponents…make them miss and proceed to place his shots… methodically,….beating his opponents into submission…Stevenson is definitely no Whitaker…Whitaker had a quiet ferocity… Look at how he beat up Chavez…beat Chavez up..Buddy Mcgirt in the second fight..Don’t need one punch KO power.when you have special stuff like Pernell… unbelievable fighter…legendary stuff
Exactly there are levels to it. Zepeda vs Kambosos or Cruz would be barn burner. I don’t see them fairing to well with the upper echelon of the division. Although I’d like to see Zepeda get his opportunity. Cruz in his last fight showed what he’d do against a skilled boxer. He’d be swinging for the air and missing by a mile.
When Haney gets around to splitting up the rest of those titles, Zepeda should be fighting for one of them.
Zepeda vs Haney
Zepeda beat pitbull cruz
I dont want a bloody war anyway
So I hope Haney take this fight against zapeda
The problem with pitbull Cruz is that he is a small lightweight
Cruz should be featherweight
Zepeda hasnt beat Cruz that would be a great fight
Enjoyed this fight tonight, but honestly, as much as I want Zepeda to win a title, unless it’s a lesser fighter, I don’t think he can mix with the elites in the lightweight division. With a contender who can punch AND box, Zepeda will get countered off the ropes and knocked out.
My ears are wiggling for Zepeda/Martin.
Same Martin that wimped out on fighting Shakur?
Zepeda would put Martin to sleep. Hope the fight happens.
Zepeda vs Davis for the WBA lightweight title when Haney vacated his WBA title
I don’t think Zepeda can beat Davis but i think Zepeda can beat haney
Since Frank Martin walked away from a fight against Shakur, I would think Martin feels more confident in a fights against Camarón, but I don’t think Martin has the will to outlast an offensive machine like Camarón, that nonstop aggression will overwhelmed Martin
I don’t think Martin has enough in his shots to keep Zepeda honest. He would need footwork and serious angles to stay safe. That Pittypat style to set up his straight right won’t be enough should this fight happen. It’s not impossible though since styles make fights.
The only thing that I am bothered by this possible match between Zepeda and Martin is that I for one will be that person to call out Martin as ducking Shakur if he takes the Zepeda fight and especially is he gets paid less, it would really question his credibility
I guess like I stated before, probably Martin feels his chances at being a Champ would be to fight Camarón for title than to fight Shakur, regardless Martin and his team put his reputation in question to the boxing community by walking away regardless if it’s strategy on their end
Zepeda is relentless…you have to be in shape to fight Zepeda…doesn’t matter who is in the ring with Zepeda…Zepeda will test them.Zepeda style is tough to train for..brutal fight…fun to watch but brutal… classic fight to teach …learn… sometimes you must save fighters from themselves…Gesta. plenty of courage and maybe more skill than Zepeda….just that relentless willful….tough to overcome…fun fight…Gesta …rest and comeback another day…Zepeda Congrats
Folks, just a few questions (thanks in advance):
I wonder what was Zepeda’s weight on fight night?.
I wonder how much of a weight advantage Zepeda had on fight night?.
On average, I wonder how much of a weight advantage Zepeda had over his previous opponents (on fight night)?.
I wonder how would Zepeda perform in the next weight class/classes (140 or possibly 147)?
Is the Zepeda camp purposely staying at 135 for possible weight advantage opportunities on fight night?.
You can check the Zepeda weight in boxrec
About moving to 140 or 147 I really really doubt it
Zepeda is animo besides he can’t move til he prove something at Lightweight division
Peter The Glute: Martin is a southpaw; tough to throw a significant straight right hand from that stance.
Gesta has always lacked that top tier ability. Unless he enjoys being a gatekeeper to the championship level, he might as well hang them up now.
He’s more or less been that guy for awhile now though. He beat Jojo and I think says more about where Diaz is than Gesta. That’s what Gesta is: He’ll beat solid C, C+ level guys or even a B not on their best day – guys like Manzanarez and Honorio, but that championship level guy, Linares, Vazquez and now Zepeda will pretty much have their way with him. At 35-36 now, I think he’d be just fine doing that for another year or two.
29 wins 25 KOs? Very telling.
Guys wicked. Peace.