In June 2008, Manny Pacquiao became the first Filipino lightweight champion in boxing history when he manhandled American David Diaz in nine rounds for the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) version of the 135-pound crown.

On December 9 (Manila time), in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez welterweight clash at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Filipino world title prospect Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta will try to duplicate the Pacman’s feat when he takes on Miguel Vazquez of Mexico for the International Boxing Federation’s (IBF) lightweight plum.

The second of three children, Gesta grew up in Mandaue City and initially excelled in the world of kickboxing. He and his father Anecito fought together at the International Amateur Muay Thai Federation before Mercito decided to give the more lucrative world of pro boxing a shot. Mercito debuted in the punch-for-pay business in October 2003 with a four-round decision win over Edwin Picardal in Taguig City. Gesta relocated to the United States in 2007 and has since collared the World Boxing Organization-North American Boxing Organization Youth lightweight crown. A ninth-round demolition of Ty Barnett on August 3 secured for Gesta a shot at the regular IBF lightweight crown.

Gesta, 26-0, 1 draw, with 14 knockouts, will square off against Vazquez, a tall (5’10”), lanky boxer who has held the IBF title since August 2010 and made five successful defenses. Nicknamed “Titere” (Puppet), Vazquez totes a record of 32-3 with only 13 knockouts. The IBF champ, who is managed by former world welterweight champion Antonio Margarito, has enjoyed a lengthy reign by banking on his unorthodox boxing skills.

At first glance, Vazquez appears to be a safe adversary for Gesta. The Mexican has gone the full distance in seven of his last eight fights and has scored only one knockout victory in the last three years. Then again, while he may have the punching power of a Lilliputian, Vazquez is tough to nail because he wears the boots of Mercury. The Mexican earned the nickname “The Puppet” because he fights as if his body is tied to a string; he can bounce up and down in the ring with ease. Vazquez’s lateral movements and pencil-thin frame allow him to dodge punches and counter with his own. Truth
be told, Vazquez’s style is like a black hole (it sucks), but it gets him the win.

Gesta, 25, boasts of a powerful left uppercut/hook, but he still has a lot of things to work on in terms of accelerating his offense. Gesta has been compared to Pacquiao, but the former actually offers a more subdued, if not cautious, style. There are even moments in the ring when Gesta appears to sleepwalk. Offensively, Gesta will have to push the pedal to the metal or Vazquez will just run rings around him.

It also remains to be seen how Gesta will perform in a big stage. Heading to the Vazquez fight, Gesta has faced mostly doughnut-knitted foes like Genaro Trazancos (22-13), Jorge Pimentel (23-11) and Ivan Valle (29-10). In stark contrast, Vazquez twice went the distance and lost only on points to power-hitter Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the incumbent WBC super welterweight champion. Vazquez also went 10 hard rounds in a losing effort against current WBO welterweight king Timothy Bradley Jr. in
July 2007 and two years later defeated Breidis Prescott, the hard-hitting Colombian who knocked out Amir Khan in one round in 2008. Vazquez’s power may be suspect, but the Mexican is never shy to face world-class opposition.

Ready or not, Gesta has decided to roll the dice in his dream of becoming a world champion. It will not be easy, but if Gesta can rise up to the challenge Vazquez should be in for a rough night in December.

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