ARUM BELIEVES GESTA IS NEXT BIG FILIPINO STAR
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 09 Jul 2011
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum believes that Mercito ?No Mercy? Gesta is the ?next big Filipino boxing star.?
Arum made the prediction on the eve of the 23 year old southpaw?s debut under Top Rank on the undercard of the Brandon ?Bam Bam? Rios ? Urbano Antillon undercard at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on Sunday morning, Manila Time.
Arum said he had included Gesta?s fight on the international telecast and will be beamed to the Philippines on ABS-CBN ?so the Filipino people can see him in action.? The fight card will be telecast on Studio 23 at 9:30 p.m. on Suday immediately after the PBA games.
Gesta who is based in San Diego City has a record of 21-0-1 with 11 knockouts and is coming off a dominating win over Mexican journeyman Genaro Trazancos who retired in the third round of a rematch last February 18 on orders of the ring physician. In their first meeting Gesta won by a 7th round knockout.
The undefeated Gesta is the reigning WBO North American Boxing Organization lightweight champion having won the title when Mexican journeyman Oscar Meza retired in the 4th round on June 4, 2010.
Gesta?s co-manager and trainer Vince Parra told the Daily Inquirer in an overseas telephone conversation that Gesta who weighed in at 137 pounds compared to his opponent Jorge Pimentel who tipped the scales at 138 ? pounds is ?is in great shape and the most motivated I?ve seen him.?
Parra said a highpoint of his three weeks training at Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym was sparring with WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan , three times a week averaging anywhere from three to five rounds per session.
He said ?it was great. High speed and very much on even grounds. Mercito was right there with Khan and Freddie, Amir and the people at Wild Card provided great support. Mercito is sharp as a razor? for Pimentel of Mexico who has a record of 23-11 with 17 knockouts.
Parra described the 31 year old Pimentel who is coming off an 8th round knockout loss to Rosbel Montoya last April 2 as ?a strong kid, a former prospect who can punch a little bit. He is in shape and is ready to fight.?
Gesta?s trainer said Pimentel ?is a pretty slow guy but he comes to fight. That?s what we want and it should be a good fight for Mercito.?
Parra said he wants Gesta to succeed ?more so for his sake and his family?s sake. They wanted this for a long time and his Dad (Anecito) has done a great job for a very talented kid. Our whole team believes in Mercito and he believes in himself and he knows the sky?s the limit and it?s all up to him.?
Parra said that ?everybody who watches his fight is going to be excited because he?ll bring a lot of excitement to the sport.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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