EXCLUSIVE: GESTA INTERVIEW AFTER WATCHING VAZQUEZ WIN OVER QUINTERO
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 28 Oct 2012
Mercito Gesta is half a country away from where IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez fought and successfully defended his belt against tough challenger Marvin Quintero at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York.
But that did not deter the unbeaten Filipino fighter who has been eyeing Vazquez and his 135 pound title belt.
Gesta intently watched the live bout between Vazquez and Quintero on television in his gym in San Diego as both fighters slug it out in a ring in Upstate New York.
"It looks like it is hard to fight this guy," was his initial reply when this Philboxing.com writer talked to him over the phone right after the bout which Vazquez won by a 12 round Split Decision.
"It looks like he does not know how to box but he looks like a hard fighter to fight. He won the fight and it looks like it was boring but this guy will be hard to fight," added Gesta.
Vazquez's name has been prominently mentioned to Gesta and his team by his promoter, Top Rank. They have informed Team Gesta of their plan to pit the undefeated challenger against Vazquez if the latter is victorious and free of injury in his title defense against Quintero last night.
"He has no cuts and he's not beat up. I think yeah. I think that fight might go through. We will just be waiting for the papers to be signed and everything so everything will be sealed," an optimistic Gesta told Philboxing.com.
"I think I would say, probably like seventy percent right now that the fight will go through," he added.
The discussed bout between Vazquez and Gesta is planned to be in the undercard of Gesta's fellow Filipino fighter, Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao will battle his Mexican rival, Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth time on December 8th at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
The title bout between Vazquez and Gesta will supplement the Philippines versus Mexico theme that Top Rank is said to be planning for that event. Besides Pacquiao, three other Filipino fighters are reported to be fighting on December 8th, possibly against Mexican opponents. The addition of Vazquez versus Gesta will further solidify the rivalry between the two countries in the sport.
"If he had a cut, the fight might not be on the undercard of Pacquiao-Marquez because that is too early. But right now he is still good and I looked at him and he looked good. Hopefully there are really no injuries or something because sometimes you don't feel the injuries inside," was Gesta's assessment of his potential foe.
"I think that fight will go through. They (Top Rank) said that they really wanted that fight between me and Vazquez," he added.
Gesta's voice was full of excitement when he talked more of that potential fight with the reigning IBF champion.
"I am really excited right now and my team too, that I have a chance to fight this guy. Hopefully it happens. I am just ... I am just excited right now. I can't wait for tomorrow or when the Top Rank people will contact us for that fight," said Gesta.
"He has no cuts, he looks good so hopefully, hopefully," Gesta added.
The 26-0 Filipino pug talked to his father Anecito, right after watching the fight on television and discussed with him ways to fight Vazquez if ever it materializes. The older Gesta is a boxing and martial arts coach in the Philippines and serves as a key member of his team.
"We were talking about the fight and we are already like, preparing what to do against this guy," narrated Gesta.
But for now, Team Gesta will have to wait and cross their fingers that negotiations for this bout will run smoothly and that all it will be made official in the soonest time.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com for any reaction to this piece.
Photo: Gesta watches the Vazquez-Quintero live on HBO in San Diego.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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