SPORTSCLOPEDIA 48: MERCITO GESTA LIVES UP TO HIS NICKNAME "NO MERCY"
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 26 Mar 2023
Born in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines, now based in San Diego, California, Mercito Gesta lived up to his nickname “No Mercy” when he scored an upset by winning via split-decision over Joseph "JoJo" Diaz last March 18 at Walter Pyramid on the grounds of California State University, Long Beach, California.
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One judge scored the bout 97-93 for Diaz, while the other two judges scored the bout 98-92 and 99-91 for Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs) who has now won two fights in a row. The 30-year-old Diaz (32-4-1, 15 KOs) has now lost three consecutive fights.
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Gesta is a member of a fighting family whose father Anecito, was a professional Muay Thai and MMA fighter, and brother Anecito Jr. is also a professional boxer. Gesta started boxing at age 15, but had no amateur experience though. He turned professional on October 19, 2003, winning by unanimous decision over Edwin Picardal.
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He went on fighting on local soil going 10-0-1 before moving to the United States and began mixing it up and beating better opponents. He won the vacant NABO Youth lightweight title with a fourth round knockout of Mexican Oscar Meza on June 4, 2010 at A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, USA.
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Gesta, age 35, challenged for the IBF lightweight title in 2012 and the WBA lightweight title in 2018. At regional level he held the WBO-NABO lightweight title in 2018.
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Gesta lost to Miguel Vázquez of Mexico by UD 12 on December 8, 2012 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, USA for the IBF lightweight title. He lost to Jorge Linares of Venezuela by UD 12 on January 27, 2018 at The Forum, Inglewood, California, USA for the WBA lightweight title.
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He defeated American Robert Manzanarez by MD 10 on June 14, 2018 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, USA to win the vacant WBO-NABO lightweight title.
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The Los Angeles Lakers won over the Oklahoma City Thunder, 116-111 on Friday and uppeD their regular record to .500 for the first time this season, on their 74th game to get even win-loss slate after starting at 2-10.
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Now with 37-37, the Lakers reached .500 for the first time as a team in more than 400 days, since January 25, 2022, when they had a record of 24-24. The last team to reach .500 this late in the NBA regular season was the Miami Heat in 2003-04 season which played 78 games to get the even slate according to ESPN Stats & Information.
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The Washington Bullets in 1988-89 season took 74 games and the Phoenix Suns in the 1983-84 season were not able to arrive at .500 until the last 82nd game.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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