Gesta Targeted for 7/18 Return in S.F. on Fox Sports 1

By Ryan Maquiñana

Mercito Gesta is slated to headline at the San Francisco Armory on July 18 against an opponent to be determined, promoter Don Chargin informed BoxingScene.com.

Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes would televise the card, which would be promoted by Chargin and Paco Presents in association with Golden Boy.

Gesta (27-1-1, 15 KOs), a former lightweight world title challenger from San Diego via Cebu, Philippines, returned to the ring after a two-year layoff in April, scoring a technical knockout of Edgar Riovalle. The bout will mark the Filipino's second fight reunited with Chargin, whom he left for Top Rank in 2011 before being dropped late last year.

"It's good to have Mercito back," Chargin said. "I think we can really build him back up to where he was."

Local prospect Jonathan Chicas is being considered for the co-feature, with Andy Vences and Ricardo Pinell also scheduled to appear on the undercard.

Chicas (13-1, 6 KOs), a junior welterweight from San Francisco, has won five consecutive fights after a shocking stoppage loss to Moris Rodriguez in 2012.

Vences (7-0, 3 KOs), a junior lightweight from nearby San Jose, stopped Dominic Coca in three rounds in a February clash that was also broadcast on FS1.

Junior middleweight Ricardo Pinell (8-1-1, 6 KOs), a two-time San Francisco Golden Gloves champion, could also see action.

Follow Ryan Maquiñana on Twitter @RMaq28 or email him at rmaquinana@gmail.com.