Written by: Shawn Cross
The main event of Saturday’s DAZN card from Long Beach, California, was supposed to be a light heavyweight throw between Gilberto “Zordo” Ramirez and famed veteran Gabriel Rosado. However, Ramirez couldn’t bring himself to weigh in, and so that fight was cancelled. That proved to be good news for Joseph Diaz, 32-3-1, and Mauricio Gesta, 33-3-3, as their scheduled junior welterweight bout was moved to the main event.
Gesta had a good start, using pace, aggression and impressive footwork to get the better of his man. Diaz used pressure in the second, but Jesta’s action rate told the story of the round. However, Diaz started and landed well in the third. With his opponent on the ropes, Diaz was able to pull off some serious action. Gesta would definitely reply, but Diaz was clearly getting the better of him.
Both men are actively trading the fourth. Gesta landed his punches well in the fifth, while Diaz continued to chase. Gesta’s move basically told the story of Six, though Diaz definitely had his moments. He was a close seventh, though Diaz outplayed him with impressive aggression. Gesta remained surprisingly effective with his footwork in the eighth considering the fight was now pushing into the final rounds. Diaz made his way through the ninth, appearing to outpace him with powerful shots. Both men let it all hang out on the x.
Jesta ended up winning by split decision, even though the judge’s cards were, as the DAZN broadcast team put it, “all over the place.”
