GESTA DOMINATES BARNETT EN ROUTE TO A 9TH RD TKO VICTORY
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 04 Aug 2012
Filipino lightweight prospect Mercito 'No Mercito' Gesta continues his rise to the limelight after delivering an impressive performance by knocking out Washington's Ty Barnett in the 9th Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) at the Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas.
Unofficial scorecards by the ESPN panelists only gave the 3rd round to Barnett who had no answer to Gesta's quick counters and combinations. In the 5th round, Gesta wobbled Barnett but Barnett survived Gesta's onslaught. Gesta continued to dominate Barnett in the succeeding rounds until a sudden burst of combination by Gesta midway in the 9th sent Barnett to the canvas for the first time. Gesta again sent Barnett to the canvas just as the bell rings wherein Referee Jay Nady came in to stop the contest for a Gesta TKO victory. Time was 2:59 of the 9th round.
Future hall of famer Sugar Shane Mosley, subbing for Teddy Atlas on ESPN, heaped praises on Gesta and said "Gesta will go far because of his ring generalship and quick movement and accurate punches." Mosley, however, also pointed out Gesta's weakness to wait a longer before initiating action. "Gesta should fight the whole three minutes of every round," according to Mosley.
Gesta, of Mandaue, Cebu who now calls San Diego home, improves his record to 26 wins, one draw with 14 knockouts. Barnett absorbed the 3rd defeat of his career for a record of 20-3-1, 13KO.
Barnett down in the canvas in the night round. Photo by Dr Ed de la Vega.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Former Panamanian WBA champ Jorge Lujan hospitalized
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Southern Sports Heroes Night on Sept. 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025ABAP feels WB’s growing pains
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Laurente is new Philippine super featherweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
Tue, 09 Sep 2025GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Rizal Memorial Coliseum: The Arena That Endured War and Forged Generations of Filipino Greats
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 09 Sep 2025“The Homecoming” turned into Coronation for Marco Romero
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz Speaks After Pushing Eduardo Nunez to the Limit in Thrilling War – A Potential Fight of the Year
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Locked & loaded for Lewis Crocker rematch, Paddy Donovan has prepared to be crowned the new IBF Welterweight World Champion
Mon, 08 Sep 2025