GESTA VERSUS JMM MAYBE A TAD TOO EARLY
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 17 Apr 2012
After his fight last Saturday wherein he scored a TKO over a clearly out-classed Cuban opponent, Mericto Gesta reportedly asked Bob Arum to get him a fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.
To Gesta I say, be careful for what you wish for!
I have the privilege of seeing Gesta fight several times in the past. I know that he is good and is well-trained by a young strategist from San Diego, the always amiable Vince Parra.
I also know that he is well-managed and that he is a highly disciplined young fighter.
Gesta has better than average footwork, tremendous hand speed and explosive power in both hands. He also holds a 25-0-1 (13 KO) record, a very commendable one indeed.
But, in my humble opinion he needs to improve his defense a smidgen in order to rumble at par with excellent counter punchers like the wily veteran Juan Manuel Marquez.
Marquez at this point is still on a higher level than the up and coming Gesta, a counter puncher par excellence. In fact, he is so good in counter punching that he gave Manny Pacquiao a good run for his money, not once but three times.
Gesta appears to be open for looping left hand counter punches. Many times last Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center I saw that happened. And, his opponent was a relatively unknown Cuban boxer named Oscar Cuero.
Therefore putting him up against Juan Manuel Marquez this July in Texas would be a wee bit too early. Parra first needs to do something and improve Gesta?s defense arsenal.
Besides, fighting Marquez in Texas would not be a good thing for Gesta. First, there will be more Marquez supporters in Texas which in effect will give Marquez a hometown advantage. On a close fight, that could be an advantage for Marquez.
And lately there has been some controversial judging in that state.
If at all, it would be far better for Gesta to meet Marquez (if he has to) late next year in Los Angeles. Perhaps the Staples or even the Home Depot Center would be good one. With that, there will be more or less an even keel in so far as the crowd is concerned. (There are as much Filipinos as Mexican boxing fans in LA) and that the judging will be with less controversial.
Gesta?s promoters should find him a couple more fights with lightweights slightly less talented and experienced than Marquez but who would give him a real solid test. Adrien Broner would be a good choice. So is Urbano Antillon, or Robert Guerrero. Perhaps even Antonio de Marco or Jorge Linares.
The only problem is that most of the above fight for Golden Boy Promotions and that is not good news for Bob Arum.
Putting Gesta this early (some say in July at Texas) against Marquez is not a good idea. Chances are Marquez will come out on top and that would derail the budding career of Gesta.
Gesta in my opinion is too precious to be pushed up against Marquez this early. Give him time and he will be a shinning star.
They say that ?patience is a virtue?. At this point in time that should hold true for Team Gesta.
Photo: Gesta absorbs a looping left from Cuero.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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