Miguel Vazquez frustrates Mercito Gesta's title hopes

Miguel Vazquez.

Las Vegas, Nevada - Mandaue City born Mercito Gesta failed in his first attempt at a world title when he lost by the way of a Unanimous Decision against Miguel Angel Vazquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Vazquez,25, utilized persistent jabbing and excellent ring movement to frustrate his unbeaten challenger. He followed those jabs with right straights that at times hurt Gesta.

Vazquez's style frustrated the Filipino southpaw who cannot seem to find a way to get through Vazquez's long reach and movement.

Gesta, 25, failed to cut the ring, a strategy that he mentioned before this fight. He tried to lunge in to connect to Vazquez's body but the champion wisely throws his jab and moves away from that attempt.

Gesta was also unable to attract his opponent to come in and exchange with him which would be favorable to his style of fighting.

The three judges at ringside had scores of 117-111, 119-109 and 118-110 all in favor of the defending IBF Lightweight champion in Miguel Angel Vazquez.

The defeat was Gesta's first in his twenty eight bout career and also was the first defeat of a Filipino fighter in the biggest boxing card of the year.