Gesta bounces back with Majority Decision nod over Manzanarez
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 15 Jun 2018
Remove a world title fight in the equation and Mercito Gesta is undefeated in his sixteen-year professional career.
Nursing a recent title defeat loss against former WBA lightweight champion Jorge Linares in January, Gesta bounced back with a close Majority Decision victory over Mexican American Roberto Manzanarez (35-2, 28 KOs) at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California this Thursday night.
The chess match between the shorter but more agile Gesta and the taller and rangy Manzanarez resulted in scores of 95-95, 96-94 and 96-94 in favor of Gesta who hailed from Mandaue City and now fights out of San Diego, California.
Gesta utilized his speed and movement to get through the long arms of his foe while Manzanarez found success with his jabs and shots from the outside.
Enjoying a five-inch height and a 3-inch reach advantage over the 5?7 Filipino, the six-foot tall lightweight from Los Mochis kept the opposition at bay with his jabs and counters. He suffered a cut in his right eye in the fifth but regained the next round in his favor. He presented problems against Gesta who is unable to connect with his powerful left hand.
A solid start and a strong finish catapulted Gesta to a much-needed victory after a disappointing defeat to Linares six months ago. He also won the vacant WBO-NABO Lightweight title in the process.
?I feel confident. I feel great. Every fight is different but I feel comfortable and happy with my performance in this one,? Gesta stated.
But ESPN?s Punch Stats numbers slightly favored Gesta?s opponent. Manzanarez landed 144 out of 439 shots or 33% while Gesta landed 119 out of 448 or 27%. Manzanarez also edged Gesta in jabs (21% to 10%) and power punches (119/318 to 104/298) thrown and connected.
?He is a tough opponent. I?ve hurt him a couple of times but he stayed in there and he fought toe to toe,? described Gesta.
But it was not a toe to toe battle as Gesta described, the 10 round fight dragged with minimal highlights to boast of.
Gesta?s other defeat came in in an IBF light world title clash in 2012 against Miguel Vasquez, also by Unanimous Decision.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and @Freemazon910 on Twitter.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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