Three-division and five-time world champion Yokasta Valle (28-2, 9 KOs) will make her grand 2023 return to U.S. soil after selling out stadiums in her native Costa Rica and will defend her IBF and WBO minimumweight world championship titles against a soon-to-be-announced opponent. Nicaraguan-born and Costa Rican-raised, Valle will participate in a 10-round match as part of the Zepeda vs. Gesta fight card, live on DAZN on Sept. 16 .
A guaranteed barn burner of a main event, William “El Camarón” Zepeda (28-0, 24 KOs) will defend his WBA Continental Americas lightweight title in a 12-round match against Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs). The co-main event will also produce fireworks for the illustrious Mexican Independence Weekend with Vancouver’s Victor “El Tornado” Morales (18-0-1, 9 KOs) scheduled to defend his WBA Intercontinental featherweight title against Mexico City’s Edwin “Pupo” Palomares (18-4-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round fight.
The undercard has been stacked from head-to-toe with Golden Boy’s must-watch prospects and soon-to-become contenders. Houston, Texas’ Darius “DFG” Fulghum (6-0, 6 KOs) will look to continue his knockout streak in an eight-round light heavyweight fight against Mexico City’s Ricardo “Tyson” Luna (25-10-2, 16 KOs). Fulghum will be leveling up after breezing through a third-round technical knockout victory against Jeremiah Curtright last April 29.
Opening the DAZN broadcast with eight-rounds of middleweight action, recently signed Eric Priest (10-0, 7 KOs) who represents Wichita Falls, Texas and is now under the tutelage of world championship trainer Ismael Salas, will face off against Danish-born Simon “Vikingo” Madsen (13-1, 10 KOs) who now calls Mexico City home. Priest is returning to the ring after a slugfest last May 27 against Argentinian Ricardo Villalba. Madsen’s second professional fight in the U.S., he will be looking for redemption after his first go-around in the States didn’t go according to plan.
On the The Golden Boy Fight Night: Zepeda vs. Gesta Prelims streamed on YouTube and Facebook Watch, Daniel “Junebug” Garcia (6-0, 5 KOs) of Denver, Colorado will fight Guadalajara, Mexico’s Erick “Aidahoe” Benitez (4-4, 1 KO) in a four-round super featherweight match. In a six-round super lightweight fight, Mexicali, Mexico’s Pinpon Reyes (10-0, 5 KOs) will measure up against Roberto Gomez (5-1, 5 KOs) of Mexico City.
Recently signed to Golden Boy, Mexican Olympian Gael Cabrera (1-0, 1 KO) of Sonora, Mexico will participate in a four-round super bantamweight fight. Making his pro-debut and opening Mexican Independence Day Weekend festivities, Jordan Cervantes of East Los Angeles will participate in a four-round lightweight fight. Opponents for both will be announced soon.