Long Beach, California was going to host a light-heavyweight clash between Gilberto Ramirez and Gabriel Rosado on March 18. That was before Ramirez came into the weigh-ins seven pounds over the limit.
That fight is now off. In its place, Joseph Diaz faces Mercito Gesta. The fight takes place inside Walter Pyramid and DAZN will broadcast the event.
Diaz (32-3-1) turned pro in 2012. "JoJo" took on Gary Russell Jr. in 2018 in a losing effort for the WBC featherweight title but rebounded in 2020 by beating Tevin Farmer for the IBF super-featherweight title. Since then, he has gone 1-2-1 and is on a two-fight losing streak.
The former interim WBC lightweight champion lost against Devin Haney and William Zepeda this past October.
MORE: Join DAZN to watch Joseph Diaz vs. Mercito Gesta
Gesta (33-3-3) turned pro in 2003, primarily fighting in the Philippines. In 2012 he unsuccessfully challenged Miguel Vazquez for the IBF lightweight title and Jorge Linares in 2018 for the WBA lightweight title. In his last five bouts, Gesta is 2-2-1, beating Joel Diaz Jr. back in April.
Outside of the new main event, young prospects are ready to steal the show on the main card. Here is a look at the entire main card of Diaz vs. Gesta.
Joseph Diaz vs. Mercito Gesta undercard
Oscar Duarte vs. Alex Martin
- Division: Lightweight
- Duarte record: 24-1-1
- Martin record: 18-4
- Belts at stake: N/A
Another lightweight bout takes place on the card, as Oscar Duarte faces Alex Martin. Duarte (24-1-1) turned pro in 2013. After losing against Adrian Estrella in 2019, Duarte has won nine in a row, all via knockout. In December, the 27-year-old beat Javier Franco, only needing three rounds to do so.
Martin (18-4) turned pro in 2013 and had his 13-fight win streak snapped by Miguel Cruz in 2017. Losing three straight, including two against Cruz, Martin has gone 5-1 since, with his last fight a unanimous decision win in August against Henry Lundy.
Eric Tudor vs. Damoni Cato-Cain
- Division: Super-Welterweight
- Tudor record: (7-0)
- Cato-Cain record: (7-0-1)
- Belts at stake: N/A
Opening up the DAZN broadcast, Eric Tudor faces Damoni Cato-Cain in super-welterweight action. Tudor (7-0) turned pro in 2022, winning all seven fights that year. He has six wins via knockout and three in a row via the power punch. Cato-Cain (7-0-1) turned pro in 2020. After two wins via TKO, the 25-year-old fought Rashid Stevens to a draw in November.
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When is Joseph Diaz vs. Mercito Gesta?
- Date: Saturday, March 18 | Sunday, March 19
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET | 12 a.m. GMT | 11 a.m. AEDT
- Main event: 11:15 p.m. ET | 3:15 a.m. GMT | 2:15 p.m. AEDT (approx.)
Joseph Diaz vs. Mercito Gesta takes place on March 18. The main card starts at 8 p.m. ET | 12 a.m. GMT | 11 a.m. AEDT. Diaz and Gesta should enter the ring around 11:15 p.m. ET | 3:15 a.m. GMT | 2:15 p.m. AEDT (approx.), depending on how long the undercard fights last.
How to watch Joseph Diaz vs. Mercito Gesta
| Country | Date | Channel + Live Stream (main card) |
| United States | Sat. March 18 | DAZN |
| United Kingdom | Sun. March 19 | DAZN |
| Australia | Sun. March 19 | DAZN |
The main card of Joseph Diaz vs. Mercito Gesta will be available via DAZN.
MORE: Join DAZN to watch Joseph Diaz vs. Mercito Gesta
Joseph Diaz vs. Mercito Gesta price: How much does the card cost?
The Joseph Diaz vs. Mercito Gesta bout will be broadcast exclusively by DAZN worldwide (see below for pricing information).
- DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $24.99 month-to-month in U.S./ $24.99 per month in Canada/ £9.99 in the U.K. on a 12-month contract or £19.99 month-to-month/ $13.99 ASD in Australia
- DAZN annual subscription: $224.99 in U.S., $199.99 in Canada, £99.99 in the U.K.
