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GESTA WINS BY 5TH ROUND TKO


PhilBoxing.com




Mercito ?No Mercy? Gesta lived up to his nickname as he busted power-punching Mexican hopeful Oscar ?Estudiante? Meza at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa, Florida this morning Manila Time.

In a post-fight interview with Insidesports.ph/Viva Sports, Gesta said he dropped Meza with a right hook to the body and had him in dire straits in the fourth as he staggered around the ring feeling the effects of his power which apparently took its toll on the Mexican who had to shed off several pounds to make the weight.

The undefeated Filipino from Mandaue told us before the fight that he wanted an impressive win before coming home to visit his family and achieved what he wanted with a smashing victory over the feared Meza who had a record of 17 knockouts in 19 wins and 3 losses going into the fight.

Gesta counter-punched well and nailed Meza time and again with vicious body shots that took their toll forcing Meza to sit on his stool and not come out for round five handing Gesta the biggest win of his unbeaten career. It also earned him his first title ? the vacant WBO Americas lightweight belt.

With the impressive win Gesta is expected to crash into the world ratings of the WBO. He stretches his unbeaten streak to 18-0 with 8 knockouts.

Aware that Meza was a big puncher Gesta told Viva Sports before the fight that ?in the early rounds I will not engage in close-in exchanges but size him up and test his power and then try to out-box him. But if there is a chance for a knockout, I will go for it.?

Like all fighters Gesta said ?my one dream is to become a world champion so people will know me and my family will be proud of me. Since I was a kid (in the city of Mandaue, Cebu) my father dreamed of my becoming a world champion.?

Gesta said he has trained long for the Meza fight because a previously scheduled bout had been called off and he only took a break of one week before getting back into the gym, first at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles in April and then in San Diego where he lives.

Parra earlier told us he was pleased with Gesta?s preparation to move up a notch and face Meza and pointed out that Gesta was ?peaking at the right time. He is right on track and looking really good.?


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


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