MARQUEZ READY TO VACATE WBO LIGHTWEIGHT CROWN; KATSIDIS VS GESTA EYED TO FIGHT FOR TITLE
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 05 Aug 2010
Katsidis (L) and Gesta.
Reports indicate that WBO ordered Juan Manuel Marquez to defend his title against Australian Michael Katsidis and has given both sides 30 days to reach an agreement or a purse bid will be ordered. Katsidis is the Interim Champion and mandatory challenger to the crown.
Sources inform that Marquez, who just had a hard-fought winning fight with Juan 'Baby Bull' Diaz last weekend at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas is not keen in staying at 135 lbs and maybe give up the title in favor of moving up to 140 lbs and possibly a huge fight with Amir Khan for a big payday before finally retiring. A victory over Khan will solidify his claim for a Pacquiao trilogy.
A Marquez-Khan title fight will not be too hard to do as both are under the aegis of the Golden Boy Promotions.
Sources further indicated that Golden Boy Promotions have other fascinating plans that will involve Katsidis and a up and coming undefeated Filipino fighter, Mercito Gesta. They plan to put up Gesta against Katsidis for the title to be vacated by Marquez.
Surprised?
Why should you?
A title fight between Katsidis, the Interim champion and Gesta, the challenger would be an interesting match up.
And if placed on the undercard, it will also do wonders for the Shane Mosley-Sergio Mora fight slated at the Staples Center in Los Angeles come September. 2010.
Gesta is a terrific fighter who has been lurking in the shadows of big-named fighters in the 135lbs division.
But the man has an impeccable resume, tremendous boxing skills as well as an intelligent boxing mind. He maybe a underdog to the better-known Katsidis but certainly a deserving challenger who has a better than an average chance to pull it off and beat the bleeder from Down Under.
Gesta sports an 18-0-1, 8KO record, something many fighters would love to have. He is also the incumbent WBO - NABO Youth Lightweight champion. He won that title via devastating body shot that put away Oscar Meza ( 19-3-0) last June 4, 2010 at the A La Carte Center in Tampa, Florida. He is rated No. 14 by the WBO.
Gesta will have an 8 round tune-up fight on August 20, 2010 at the Casino del Sol in Tucson, Arizona against Genaro Trazancos (22-11-1, 13 KO). Gesta is expected to put away Trazancos without much difficulties. He has been in deep training at the famed Wildcard Gym for many weeks now and appears to
be in great shape.
An excellent showing by Gesta against Trazancos will cement his position as a legitimate challenger versus Michael Katsidis. With that, another Filipino stands to win another World Title.
It could not happen to a nicer guy like Gesta who for years had been patiently waiting for his chance but was largely ignored by big-named promoters.
It may take Golden Boy Promotions to make that happen.
Nice!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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