GESTA PEAKING AT THE RIGHT TIME
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 30 May 2010
Undefeated Filipino lightweight Mercito ?No Mercy? Gesta who battles Mexico?s hard-punching Oscar ?Estudiante? Meza at the Micosukee Indian Gaming Resort in Miami, Florida on June 4 for the vacant WBO North American Boxing Organization title is ?peaking at the right time? according to his co-manager Vince Parra.
In an overseas telephone conversation for Viva Sports boxing show ?The Main Event? Parra said Gesta?s weight ?is right on track and he?s looking really good.?
Parra said they had an extended training camp both at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles as well as in San Diego and Gesta?s ? sparring went really well? during the first part of April under coach Carl Penalosa, elder brother of two division world champions Dodie Boy and Gerry Penalosa.
Parra said the 22 year old southpaw who has a record of 17-0-1 with 7 knockouts sparred with featherweights Mike Farenas and Bernabe Concepcion and a couple of young pros that Freddie Roach has and also had some solid sparring with junior welterweight prospect Antonio Orozco who has an unbeaten record of 6-0 with 5 knockouts, in San Diego.
Parra disclosed that Penalosa apparently didn?t remember to get his visa extended during the training camp and when the deadline ran out he was forced to return to the Philippines and re-apply which means he won?t be in Gesta?s corner when he faces Meza who Parra described as ?a tough, hard puncher.? Parra will take command in Gesta?s corner along with longtime cut-man and friend Stephen Luna.
Parra told us he has ?a good understanding of Mercito?s style and we will make sure not to change anything. He is a very well-schooled kid and all we ever do is push him to work hard. As a team we are real confident we are going to get through this and when things are worked out Carl will definitely be back.?
Parra said they had taken time to watch some films of Meza and ?have a good plan set up for him. ? He said Gesta had a ?light workout on Friday on the double-end bag, speed ball, shadow boxing and keeping the weight down.?
Asked what he believes Gesta has going for him against a puncher like Meza, Parra replied ?his boxing ability, his instincts and his hand-speed. He?s ready for this.?
Gesta is coming off an impressive eight round unanimous decision over the experienced Cristian Favela last February 25 in a rematch after Gesta won their first encounter in a shutout in 2008.
The Filipino also scored a big 1st round TKO over promising Alain Hernandez on May 21, 2009 and then came through with a 3rd round TKO over Devarise Crayton on July 10, 2009.
But Meza cannot be taken lightly as he has an impressive 5th round TKO over Jorge Urias last November 13 after scoring a majority decision over touted Jorge Paez Jr on September 27, 2008. However, he suffered a 5th round TKO to undefeated Brandon Rios on May 16, 2009.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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