Philippines, 17 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SPORTSCLOPEDIA 48: MERCITO GESTA LIVES UP TO HIS NICKNAME "NO MERCY"


PhilBoxing.com




Born in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines, now based in San Diego, California, Mercito Gesta lived up to his nickname “No Mercy” when he scored an upset by winning via split-decision over Joseph "JoJo" Diaz last March 18 at Walter Pyramid on the grounds of California State University, Long Beach, California.

* * *

One judge scored the bout 97-93 for Diaz, while the other two judges scored the bout 98-92 and 99-91 for Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs) who has now won two fights in a row. The 30-year-old Diaz (32-4-1, 15 KOs) has now lost three consecutive fights.

* * *

Gesta is a member of a fighting family whose father Anecito, was a professional Muay Thai and MMA fighter, and brother Anecito Jr. is also a professional boxer. Gesta started boxing at age 15, but had no amateur experience though. He turned professional on October 19, 2003, winning by unanimous decision over Edwin Picardal.

* * *

He went on fighting on local soil going 10-0-1 before moving to the United States and began mixing it up and beating better opponents. He won the vacant NABO Youth lightweight title with a fourth round knockout of Mexican Oscar Meza on June 4, 2010 at A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, USA.

* * *

Gesta, age 35, challenged for the IBF lightweight title in 2012 and the WBA lightweight title in 2018. At regional level he held the WBO-NABO lightweight title in 2018.

* * *

Gesta lost to Miguel Vázquez of Mexico by UD 12 on December 8, 2012 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, USA for the IBF lightweight title. He lost to Jorge Linares of Venezuela by UD 12 on January 27, 2018 at The Forum, Inglewood, California, USA for the WBA lightweight title.

* * *

He defeated American Robert Manzanarez by MD 10 on June 14, 2018 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, USA to win the vacant WBO-NABO lightweight title.

* * *

The Los Angeles Lakers won over the Oklahoma City Thunder, 116-111 on Friday and uppeD their regular record to .500 for the first time this season, on their 74th game to get even win-loss slate after starting at 2-10.

* * *

Now with 37-37, the Lakers reached .500 for the first time as a team in more than 400 days, since January 25, 2022, when they had a record of 24-24. The last team to reach .500 this late in the NBA regular season was the Miami Heat in 2003-04 season which played 78 games to get the even slate according to ESPN Stats & Information.

* * *

The Washington Bullets in 1988-89 season took 74 games and the Phoenix Suns in the 1983-84 season were not able to arrive at .500 until the last 82nd game.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Trenton, NJ
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.