GESTA, PORRAS HEADLINE PI?OL EVENT TODAY
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 16 Dec 2005
Unbeaten Cebu prospect Mercito "Guerrero" Gesta is all primed up to impress Mindanao fans when he figures in a 10-round bout against veteran slugger Leo Escobido today at the Kidapawan City Gymnasium, saying this will be his birthday gift to his new promoter, North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Pi?ol.
Also co-headlining the card is undefeated bantam prospect Glenn Porras, who shoots for the Philippine Boxing Federation bant am title against Baguio's Edgar Gabejan.
Mercito "Guerrero" Gesta winds down his training with trainer Ronnie Caballero at the Stonewall Gym in Liloan, Cebu in preparation for his fight tonight in Kidapawan, North Cotabato. Photo by Dong Secuya.
The southpaw Gesta, who hails from Labogon, Mandaue City, remains unscathed in 10 fights, no loss with only 1 draw.
"I know this is make or break for me. My new promoter will be watching every punch I throw and every step I make. So I better deliver," said the 18-year-pld phenom, a former Muay Thai practitioner, when interviewed in between hitting the mitts with trainer Ronnie Caballero.
Carlos Bautista, who led a television crew taking footages of Gesta's workouts, noted the prospect's skills immediately and commented that the young pro has indeed what it takes to become a world champ.
Gesta's parents were also interviewed by the television crew, and revealed that very soon, their son will be campaigning in the bantam class as he has already found it difficult to make the 115-lb limit.
"He's very young, and still growing. We want only what's comfortable for him," informed Gesta's lady manager, Joy Ouano.
Today's card will serve as the initial salvo of the newly-created program to be aired by ABS-CBN dubbed "Manny Pacquiao Presents," which is a project of a consortium named MRM Sports made up of Pinol, Rex 'Wakee' Salud, and Pacquiao himself.
The rest of the card pits Tommy Terado against Fabio Marfa; Rex Penalosa versus Jerry Manganip; Edrin Dapudong against Frederick Salde; Dennis Juntillano versus Edmund Velayo; Alvin Mundala versus Mel Grumo; plus three more exciting bouts.
END
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