SAN FRANCISCO?If undefeated Filipino slugger Mercito ?No Mercy? Gesta needed any boost for his Telefutura main event tonight against a fighter he’s already beaten, the 23-year-old from Cebu got it in the form of five little words uttered by his idol, Manny Pacquiao.
I was on the specially chartered media train with Pacman and company, going from New York to Washington on Monday, and the Amtrak Acela #2165 was just pulling into Union Station, the final stop.
I asked Pacquiao what his thoughts were about the prizefighting prospects of lefthanded lightweight (but fighting at 140 pounds Friday night at Longshoremen’s Hall against Genaro Trazancos (22-13-3, 13 KOs) of Mexico) Gesta really are. Gesta, who stopped Trazancos in seven rounds last year, owns a 20-0, 10 knockouts pro record. Their bout is scheduled for eight rounds or less.
Pacman did not hesitate.
?I like him,? he said smiling. ?Good fighter.?
When I informed Gesta of the praise in the Radisson Hotel lobby, he lit up like a Christmas tree.
?Wow, that is really some honor, coming from Manny,? Gesta said. “I hope I can live up to his words.”
In this huge weekend for Pinoy fighters in America, Gesta thinks world champ Nonito Donaire will post a victory over highly regarded Fernando Montiel in Vegas Saturday night.
?I think Nonito will win even though Montiel is tough. I think a combination of Nonito’s speed and his longer reach will make the difference. He should win this fight, I believe,? Gesta said.
Co-manager and trainer Vincent Parra, himself an ex-pro who used to spar with Sugar Shane Mosley, said weeks of working at Coach Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym will benefit his charge.
?Freddie also gave us some tips in training,? Parra said. ?You can say Freddie knows a lot about working with southpaws since he handles the best southpaw in the world.?
Veteran Don Chargin is promoting the show which is titled ?War At The Wharf.?
I don’t think too many noticed that Chargin’s fabled nickname, dating back to his greatly four shows each month at the Olympic Auditorium in LA, is ?War A Week.?
Between Pacquiao, Donaire and rising Gesta, I’d say it’s an enjoyable time to be Pinoy who is a fight fan.
