Mercito Gesta Poised to Annex a World Title on Pacquiao-Marquez IV

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Mercito Gesta
Undefeated Mercito Gesta shadow boxes during a public workout in the lobby of the MGM Grand for his upcoming title fight against IBF World Lightweight Champion Miguel Vazquez on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez 4. Photo by Chris Farina

You have to take the time to prepare the soil if you want it to embrace the seed, and after a decade in the game — under the tutelage of his father Anecito, Carl Penalosa and head trainer Vince Parra — undefeated Mercito Gesta is in full bloom as he embarks on his first opportunity at a world title versus IBF lightweight titlist Miguel Vazquez, in a 12 round championship bout. The fight takes place this Saturday, Dec. 8th on the undercard of Pacquiao-Marquez IV, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV. The event is presented by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Zanfer Promotions, Marquez Boxing, SMS Promotions, Tecate and MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.

Also featured on the televised portion of the card is 30-year-old undefeated Cuban sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa (21-0, 16KOs), taking on 28-year-old Filipino southpaw Michael Farenas (34-3-4, 26KOs) in a 12 round bout for the interim WBA super featherweight title.

In a matchup of fellow undefeated prospects, 23-year-old Dominican southpaw Javier Fortuna (20-0, 15KOs) will trade hands with 29-year-old Irishman Patrick Hyland (27-0, 12KOs), in a 12 round tussle for the interim WBA featherweight belt.

It’s been seven years since a Filipino has challenged for a world title on the undercard of a Pacquiao fight, when Brian Viloria stopped Eric Ortiz in one round to win the WBC junior flyweight belt on 2005’s Pacquiao-Velasquez bill, and Gesta is poised to make the most of the opportunity by giving all he has to offer in the ring come Saturday night.

“I’m just so focused on winning; my team and I are ready for anything. Fans can expect 100% from me. I want to fight,” exclaimed Gesta.

Mercito, 25, of San Diego by way of the Philippines, arrived on America soil in 2006 when he was brought over — with a wave of other Filipino fighters — by Top Rank, and Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz, who were looking to capitalize on the success of Pacman, by finding another gem from the Pacific Rim to put on Pacquiao’s undercards. When Gesta first arrived, Pacquiao’s La Palazzo apartment in Los Angeles housed the Mandaue City, Philippines southpaw, known today as No Mercy.

Gesta, (26-0-1, 14KOs) was scheduled to fight on Pacquiao-Morales III back in November 2006, as the swing bout, but time restraints caused Mercito’s fight to be cancelled even though the budding Cebuano had already gotten the green light, and was in his dressing room ready to rumble. No such circumstance will have the opportunity to ruin Mercito’s night this time around and Saturday he’ll get his chance to fight alongside fellow countryman Manny Pacquiao, on the biggest stage the sport has to offer.

Not long after the Pacquiao-Morales debacle, Gesta left L.A., and the confines of Freddie Roach’s famed Wildcard Boxing Club for the sandy beaches of America’s Finest City. Mercito accompanied his trainer at the time Carl Penalosa, who came to San Diego to pursue a gig at a local gym. It was around that time that Gesta’s current trainer Vince Parra crossed paths with No Mercy, becoming his co-manager shortly after helping Mercito get a couple fights in his new city. Due to visa issues in 2010, Penalosa returned to the Philippines and Parra filled in, becoming Gesta’s new head trainer. In June of 2010 Mercito won the vacant WBO NABO Youth lightweight title with Parra in his corner, by stopping Oscar Meza in four rounds, and as they say, the rest is history.

Parra saw something special in Mercito and thought the young Pinoy could reach the highest levels of sport, and one day be a world title holder.

“Mercito at 100% beats anyone at 135lbs, I’ve said that for three years,” pointed out Parra.

The job that Parra has done with Gesta the past three years is nothing short of impressive. Though Mercito was an undefeated Filipino southpaw who looked the part, when Vince and Merc first hooked up not many people knew who Gesta was, let alone the talent that he possessed. San Diego isn’t necessarily known for boxing or the accessibility to quality sparring on a consistent basis like other boxing hubs around the globe. For Parra to have taken Gesta from where he was then, to where he is now, challenging for a lightweight world title, is worthy of note for the up-and-coming trainer.

Gesta and Parra have now been together for nine fights, with seven of those coming by way of knockout. When I asked Parra what it felt like to have gotten Gesta this far, challenging for the sports most coveted prize, his answer exhibited where his focus lies.

“It’s hard to say at this point, it’s great to be here but the work isn’t done. The support is great, but I will have to wait to answer that question. The opportunity is great, and we thank Top Rank, but winning is the only thing on my mind.”

The champion, Miguel Vazquez, 25, of Guadalajara, MEX, isn’t your typical seek-and-destroy Mexican pugilist, but what he does possess that’s typical of his countrymen is toughness. He’s never been kayoed, and his only three losses have come to WBO welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley and WBC junior middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, twice.

Vazquez, (32-3, 13KOs) is a mover, without the most exciting style, which means Gesta is going to have to find him and elevate his pugnaciousness. Gesta’s made it clear that he plans on being more aggressive, and will dominate from the outset.

“As a fighter, Vazquez is difficult and awkward. I can’t let him fight his fight. I’ll be ready,” stated Mercito.

In Vazquez’s last fight which was just over a month ago, he beat Marvin Quintero by split decision in a snoozer. Miguel verbally agreed to fight Gesta on Dec. 8th, before he had even stepped in the ring with Quintero, so Vazquez could be forgiven for the boring outing in October as he needed to get through the bout unscathed with no cuts or contusions, if he wanted to defend his title against Gesta in what would be the biggest platform of Miguel’s career.

“I don’t really care why he fought that way, I’m just glad he won. I don’t take anything away from Vazquez, he’s a champion for a reason,” said Parra, adding, “This is boxing; you never know what to expect. Mercito is prepared for whatever Vazquez brings fight night; we’re coming to win, period. On December 8th Mercito will be 100%. Expect speed and power.”

Gesta last fought in August on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights,” against brash talking Ty Barnett. No Mercy dominated the contest, hurting Barnett many times throughout the night. In the 9th frame, Mercito put Barnett on all fours with a flurry of shots that was preceded by a left cross that had Ty doing the stanky leg before hitting the mat. Once Barnett got back to his feet, Gesta put on his sharks fin and went after him like a bird on seed, blasting Ty with a big right hand, followed by a straight left that deposited his foe back on the canvas, prompting referee Jay Nady to end the punishment.

Saturday night could be the first time Mercito will have to go 12 rounds, and Team Gesta took training camp to another level by renting a home in Big Bear, CA, where the air is thin at 7,000 feet above sea level, as they looked to get the most out of Gesta’s endurance.

“This is the best camp he’s had, our sparring was world class. [Undefeated Cuban super featherweight propsect] Rances Barthelemy, [former amateur star and current featherweight] Aaron Garcia and [Mexican welterweight] Jorge Silva have been great. I couldn’t have asked for a better camp. Mercito looks good,” enthused Parra.

2012 also saw the addition of three of the most important members of Team Gesta, as his father Anecito, a former Muay Thai champion, arrived in the United States earlier in the year, and is assisting Parra in the training of his son while also managing Mercito’s conditioning. Several months later Mercito’s mother Mercedes and younger brother Dondon arrived on U.S. shores, traveling to Big Bear with the rest of the team, making it a family affair. Mercedes helps Mercito with his diet, and has him juicing for the first time in preparation for the biggest moment of her son’s career. Gesta’s family couldn’t be more satisfied to be alongside Mercito in the most important of times.

“It means a lot to see how far my son has come in boxing, and it makes me very proud. To be here helping him train for a world title is a dream. For his mother and little brother as well, it’s a dream for all of us. Mercito’s strong, fast and has natural instincts. On fight night I expect my son to execute and become world champion,” beamed the proud father.

Implications for the Gesta-Vazquez are big. One might say Saturday night could be a changing of the guard in terms of the Philippines next boxing superstar, should Mercito conquer Miguel under the bright lights of Sin City.

“The man that will have his hand raised at the end [of the fight] will be me,” insisted Gesta, adding, “To have my family here has been part of my goal. Winning this fight with them here will complete the dream.”

Pacquiao-Marquez IV tickets are priced at $1,200, $900, $600, $400 and $200. Ticket sales at $1,200, $900, $600 and $400 are limited to 10 person, and ticket sales at $200 are limited to two (2) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available for purchase at WWW.MGMGRAND.COM or WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM.

The Pacquiao-Marquez IV telecast, which begins at 9:00 p.m. ET / 600 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.

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