Mercito Gesta and Golden Boy Promotions are on the same page with his taking on the toughest possible challenge for his next fight.

Where they differ is on the targeted opponent.

Hall of Fame six-division champ Oscar De La Hoya, founder and chairman of Golden Boy, declared prior to Saturday’s DAZN main event between Gesta and Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz Jr. that the winner could land on the undercard of the April 22 Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia undercard at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Golden Boy has at least two slots on the card, with unbeaten lightweights William Zepeda and Floyd Schofield Jr. each in need of opponents.

Gesta (34-3-3, 17KOs) managed an upset, split decision win over Diaz in their ten round main event on Saturday at The Walter Pyramid on the campus of California State University-Long Beach.

“I think (Gesta) can possibly fight on the Ryan Garcia-Tank Davis card against Floyd Schofield, which I’m thinking,” De La Hoya told DAZN’s Chris Mannix. “I’m putting on my promoter hat. I’m thinking about matches that the fight fans want to see. That can be a possibility. “

After having taken down a former titleholder in Diaz (32-4-1, 15KOs), Gesta would prefer to keep it at the high-end contender level.

“If I were to choose my next opponent, I want William “El Camaron” Zepeda next,” Gesta stated after posting a career-best win.

Zepeda scored a convincing ten-round win over Diaz last October 29 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, which Gesta attended in support of his local community as well as to scout the lightweight bout. 

Gesta was at gatekeeper status heading into his crossroads fight versus Diaz, though he entered on the heels of an impressive ten-round win over Joel Diaz Jr. (no relation to JoJo) last April in Indio, California. The win came after a 31-month ring hiatus and also snapped a two-fight winless streak.

Saturday’s makeshift main event saw Diaz land the more telling blows while Gesta offered a superior work rate and stellar stamina. The San Diego-based Filipino enjoyed a strong finish after absorbing the most bruising shots Diaz had to offer.

“I feel great about the outcome,” said Gesta. “We had our game plan and I listened to my corner. It was a close fight. With Coach Marvin Somodio, I have learned that I can move around a lot more and I am excited to have another full training camp with him.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox