VAZQUEZ WIN PUTS GESTA IN LINE FOR TITLE SHOT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 28 Oct 2012
The split decision win by IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez over mandatory challenger Marvin Quintero has put undefeated Filipino southpaw Mercito "No Mercy" Gesta in line for a title shot against Vazquez.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum earlier told the Manila Standard Gesta is now in training and if Vazquez wins and suffers no cuts or injuries he'll defend his title against Gesta on the Pacquiao-Marquez IV card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on December 8.
Arum said "people tell me that it's not a difficult fight (for Vazquez) and if he wins that fight and comes out unscathed then he is scheduled to fight Gesta for the lightweight title on December 8. That would be the co-feature."
Arum said "it's interesting that in each of the two fights is a Mexican against a Filipino."
At the same time the Too Rank promoter said he has an arrangement with Pacquiao that "he is entitled to put on the non-televised undercard two slots. So whoever he selects we will put on and matchup."
Former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa earlier disclosed that his nephew Dodie Boy Penalosa and protege Michael Farenas would see action on the Pacquiao-Marquez card.
With the win the 25 year old Vazquez moved to 32-3 with 13 knockouts.
Vazquez won the vacant title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Ji-Hoon Kim of Korea on August 14, 2010 and has had three previously successful title defenses.
Gesta who has a record of 26-0-1 with 14 knockouts is coming off an impressive 9th round TKO over Ty Barnett last August 3, 2012.
By all accounts Vazquez wasn't hurt in the Quintero fight although the challenger pressed the action and made it a close fight at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York.
Judge Tom Schreck had Vazquez a comfortable winner 116-112 while Don Trella had the champion the winner by an even bigger margin at 118-110 but the third judge Don Ackerman scored the fight for Quintero, 115-113.
Vazquez appeared to be in command early in the fight although Quintero picked up the tempo in the middle of the fight before Vazquez came back behind good combinations while staying out of trouble.
Photo: Vazquez (L) and Quintero duke it out Saturday night at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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