GESTA, PORRAS DEFEAT FOES
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 18 Dec 2005
KIDAPAWAN CITY--Mercito "Guerrero" Gesta proved his true worth, as he bludgeoned veteran Leo Escobido into submission in the seventh round of their scheduled 10-round fight in the co-main event of the "Thunder in December" card at the jampacked Kidapawan City Gym last Friday.
In the main event, fast-starting Glenn Porras took the Philippine Boxing Federation bantam title with a unanimous decision verdict over Baguio City-based Edgar Gabejan.
Mercito "Guerrero" Gesta dishes out a jab and snipings all night against the befudlled Leo Escobido.
The 18-year-old Gesta, unbeaten in 11 fights with only one draw, dished out a fine boxing performance, easily outboxing Escobido in every round before the referee called a halt to the bout at the end of the seventh frame.
The Labogon, Mandaue native, who is now promoted by North Cotabato Gove rnor Emmanuel Pinol, swept all rounds using his bread-and-butter left straight, staggering the hapless Escobido several times in the entire fight.
Gesta claims victory after the referee stopped the fight in the 7th round.
Gesta was being interviewed by INQ7's Recah Trinidad.
"I could have disposed of him early, but I almost ran out of gas as I could not train five days before this bout due to an injury," said Gesta, an undefeated Muay Thai practitioner before he turned pro.
Porras, the 20-year-old unbeaten upstart from Mlang, took off like a house on fire, but Gabejan made a fine rally in the late rounds. However, it was too little too late for Gabejan as the judges saw it 98-94, 98-92, 96-94 all for Porras.
Glen Porras squares off with Edgar Gabejan.
Porras was surrounded by his supporters as he was being interviewed by Recah Trinidad.
Tommy Terado, meanwhile, took a hard-earned unanimous decision over tough-as-nails Fabio Marfa to keep his unbeaten slate, while Rex Penalosa proved superior against Jerry Manganip in a unanimous decision win.
Inquirer's Recah Trinidad (right) and birthday celebrant North Cotabato Gov. Manny Pi?ol anchors the evening's boxing event.
Part of the standing room only crowd at the Kidapawan Sports Gym.
Other results: Edren Dapudong won by unanimous decision over Frederick Salde; Rey Migre?o stopped Roel Honor in the third; Daniel Solis topped Javier Malulan by majority technical decision; Dennie Juntillano edged out Edmund Velayo by unanimous decision; Jundy Maraon stopped Edmer Calawanon in the second round; Alvin Mundala halted Mel Grumo in fourth; while Jessie Albaracin took out Jojo Adlawan in fourth.
All photos by Dong Secuya / PhilBoxing.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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