A NIGHT before the much-anticipated Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez match , three up-and-coming Filipino fighters will have their turn to display their talent in Las Vegas.
US-based Cebuano Mercito Gesta, 19-year-old prospect Allan Tadana and the grandson of the late Filipino great Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde, Juan Miguel Elorde, will see action in Top Rank Live! boxing event at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino this Saturday (Philippine time).
The 24-year-old Gesta, one of the hottest Filipino prospects in the US, is facing one of the toughest opposition of his career, two-time world title challenger Ricardo Dominguez.
Gesta, 23-0-1 with 12 knockouts, has been on a roll since starting his campaign in the US in 2007, winning his last 13 fights there. Gesta?s future in the sport is at stake in his 10-round fight with Dominguez.
Although the Mexican is just 26, he has been into countless wars, including two world title fights against Mexican star Humberto Soto and current International Boxing Federation lightweight titleholder Miguel Vazquez. He lost by decision to both champions.
Domiguez is 37-7-2 with 21 knockouts and has also faced the likes of World Boxing Association lightweight king Brandon Rios and former world title contender Zahir Raheem.
After a fifth-round technical knockout loss to Masao Nakamura in Japan last year, the ex-Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super featherweight titlist Tanada is making his comeback against Mexican Alan Martinez. Tanada is 10-1-2 with five knockouts, while Martinez is 9-1-1 with five knockouts.
On the other hand, the 25-year-old Elorde is putting at stake his immaculate record against Venezuelan Alexander Espinosa. Elorde is 10-0 with four knockouts, while Espinoza is 9-5 with eight knockouts.
