Lightweight prospect Mercito Gesta’s title quest is a family affair
When undefeated Mercito "No Mercy" Gesta steps into the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las on December 9 Manila time in the undercard of Pacquiao-Marquez IV, it will be the biggest moment in his undefeated career.
Gesta is set to challenge champion Miguel Vazquez of Panama for the International Boxing Federation lightweight crown, and his family will be at ringside to provide moral support.
Gesta's trainer and co-manager Vince Parra told Yahoo! Philippines that fighting on the undercard of the fourth encounter between "Fighter of the Decade" Manny Pacquiao and Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez "is a dream for Mercito."
Parra said "the fact that his old stablemate Michael Farenas and Dodie Boy Penalosa Jr, and with Carl Penalosa Jr and the guys from Cebu and the Visayas is great for Mercito. He can't be more proud and that's why the preparation here (at the high altitude training camp in Big Bear, California) is more focused than I've ever seen him which is as it should be."
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Gesta "wants more than anything to represent his country well and his adopted hometown of San Diego."
The southpaw is taking his title quest very seriously and Parra believes "we are going to see the best this young man has to offer on December 8."
Assisting Parra in training Mercito over the past several months has been Mercito's dad, a former Muay Thai champion, Anecito Gesta, who handles conditioning and helps in the training and as Parra points out "is very intelligent when it comes to strategy."
Parra said "we work together and it's a great mix. He motivates Mercito to push hard."
The trainer said candidly that sometimes when a father is involved "it's a little difficult. But this to me is a great mixture. We definitely agree on a lot of stuff and we are on the same page as far as the fight plans. It's great. I couldn't be blessed with a better family. They are really great people."
Aside from Mercito's Dad, his mother Mercedes and little brother Anecito Jr are also in the US for support.
In Parra's eyes he's really looking forward and really proud to help their son realize their dream and their family as a whole.
Mercedes who knows her boxing is also an excellent cook and looks out for her son's diet. She goes to the gym and supports Mercito and the trainers by holding the towel and gives Mercito water during breaks.
It's basically very much how they started in a small barangay in Mandaue City, Cebu.
Mercito was literally born in the gym in their home with a midwife in attendance.
His mother has been there, as Parra recalls "since day one and the fact is that the time came when we were able to afford to get her son, Mercito's young brother and his father here."
Both parents are immensely proud of their son who has quietly but surely built up a solid reputation as another one of the tough young men born into a comparatively poor family but one which was anchored on togetherness and a commitment to achieve no matter what the odds.
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Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who has constantly looked around for promising Filipino fighters in the mold of his prized possession Manny Pacquiao was initially impressed with Gesta's unbeaten record and decided to sign him up and, assisted by Parra, nurture his career.
In his first fight in the US, Gesta won a six-round majority decision against Carlos Madrid in Rosemont, Illinois, then stepped up to twice defeat journeyman Christian Favela before making a statement with a 3rd round knockout of Jorge Pimentel, dropping him in rounds one, two and three in a rousing performance that had fight fans sit up and take notice.
Highly touted Ricardo Dominguez was next in line and as a small but loyal group of fans out of San Diego watched, Gesta won a ten-round decision at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino, providing a glimpse of his punching power by dropping the tough Dominguez in the third round.
On April 14 this year the astute Top Rank matchmakers figured it was time to up the ante and give Gesta a real test by having him take on Oscar Cuero of Colombia, who had 12 knockouts in 15 wins.
As Parra pointed out "we did what we had to do" and that was to impress Arum and the Top Rank hierarchy which Gesta did with an 8th round TKO.
One final test was lined up before the title shot materialized. Washington's Ty Barnett who had an impressive record of 20-2-1 with 13 knockouts was picked to face Gesta.
Gesta was cut over the left eyebrow but went after Barnett in the ninth round with some well-timed punches and dropped the American twice in the round before referee Jay Nady decided he had seen enough at 2:59 of the ninth round.
Parra said they were very happy that Bob Arum, Hall of Fame matchmaker Bruce Trampler and Carl Moretti and the guys at Top Rank "have faith in us by picking on the toughest guy at 135. That's why Mercito wanted this fight because he's the guy (Miguel Vazquez) that nobody wanted and this is the opportunity to make a statement."
Since his father Anecito joined training camp he was able to instill some discipline in the life of his good-looking son who turned 25 last October and was clearly beginning to attract a following of young women.
Dad drew the line, put his foot down and instilled the kind of discipline needed if a fighter hopes to become a world champion and when Mercito's mother Mercedes joined the family in San Diego the cast was complete and the quest for a world title began in earnest.
To get away from the distractions of friends and admirers in San Diego, Vince Parra and Anecito decided it would be best to move training camp to the solace of Big Bear where Parra rented a house for them to stay.
After initially having problems with the high altitude, Mercito Gesta quickly adapted and when he began sparring with the talented, undefeated lightweight Joel Diaz (11-0) he started to look like a future world champion.
Diaz himself told boxingscene.com "the way he is training man I wouldn't doubt that he stops Vazquez. He's a tough, quick southpaw and a very good fighter."
The trainer said they were bringing a good welterweight from Tijuana, Mexico identified as Jorge Silva ( 19-2-2,15 KO's) and Cuban Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy (17-0, 11 KO's) who fights out of Miami, Florida for the final weeks of sparring.
For his part Parra said "we want to thank you, the country of the Philippines and fans here in the United States. We are not going to let people down."
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.
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