Zepeda Leads Morales and Valle Wins With Gesta Stoppage
Top lightweight contender William “Camaron” Zepeda (29-0, 25KO) overwhelmed veteran fighter Mercito Gesta (34-4-3, 17KO).
From the start of the bell, Camaron fought like a man possessed as he stalked Gesta and landed punches from various angles. He did an excellent job of mixing up the attack and using superior footwork that kept the Filipino off balance.
Even when Gesta found little success with the uppercut and right hand, Zepeda was unfazed and continued to march forward by attacking the body with vicious hooks. This fight quickly became a glorified sparring session as the Mexican landed everything but the kitchen sink.
After barely making it out of round five, the referee informed Gesta he would stop the fight if he didn’t get off the ropes. In round six, he kept his word and called off the fight as Gesta was being pummeled against the ropes.
Zepeda made a statement with this victory and is ready to challenge any of the top names in the division. In the post-fight interview, he called for a title shot against unified champion Devin Haney.
VICTOR MORALES EARNS A TOUGH VICTORY OVER EDWIN PALOMARES
In a featherweight showdown, Victor Morales (19-0-1, 9KO) showed heart and dug deep to get the win over veteran Edwin Palomares (18-5-2, 9KO).
Palomares came out strong and went on the attack, looking for a brawl. He was successful early in the fight as Morales was willing to fight in a phonebooth. However, Morales’ corner told him to use those boxing skills against the veteran fighter.
Morales made the fight easy when he started to box as he landed several combination punches throughout the fight by using those faster hands. Drama arose in round six when the undefeated fighter got hit with an uppercut that opened up a cut on the left eye. Realizing the danger of the fight getting stopped, Morales used movement, sharp counters, and combinations to take control of the fight.
In the closing rounds, Morales brought the crowd to their feet by landing a brutal left hook that put Palomares on wobbly legs. He turned it up and landed a flurry of punches before the final bell sounded.
The judges’ scorecards were 100-90, 99-91, and 96-94 in favor of Morales, who answered the call when his heart was being tested.
YOKASTA VALLE SUCCESSFULLY GUARDS THE TITLES FROM MARIA SANTIZO
Unified minimumweight champion Yokasta “Yoka” Valle (29-2, 9KO) easily defended the titles in a stay-busy fight against Maria Santizo (11-4, 6KO).
The fists were flying as the unified champion launched combination punches that would be the story of the fight. Valle showed improved footwork and easily avoided some of those wild punches from Santizo.
Santizo refused to go away quietly and fought hard, landing the occasional right hand. Her punch output was high but ineffective, as she wasn’t able to penetrate Valle’s defensive ability.
Valle took control of the fight and repeatedly landed the right hand while taking advantage of her opponent’s lack of head movement. When the final bell sounded, one judge scored it 100-90, and two judges saw it 99-91.
In the post-fight interview, she stated that they are waiting for rival unified champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada to heal from surgery, and then they will look to make the fight.
The boxing community is eager to see them fight for undisputed as both women are at the top of their game. Valle has come a long way from that second career defeat to former WBC champion Tina Rupprecht in 2018.
