LAS VEGAS–Manny Pacquiao may not be the only Filipino boxer to move into politics after winning ring glory. Undefeated Cebuano lightweight Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta, now 25-0 after scoring a knockout over grizzled Oscar Cuero Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, showed he knows how to lobby the boxing kingmaker Bob Arum at a postfight press conference. In the main bout here, Brandon Bam Bam Rios was most fortunate to take what I thought was an undeserved split decision over lanky but clean-hitting Cuban Richard Abril after 12 rounds. Some sgement of the fans stayed a bit longer to watch Juan Manuel Marquez post a pedestrian but one-sided decision over Russian Sergehiy Federenko in Mexico City. “I want to fight Juan Ma,” Gesta said politely to the 80 year old Arum. The Top Rank Top Honcho typically was not stuck for a quick and witty answer. “Yeah, you want to fight him and (gesturing to a sitting Rios as the Oxnard fighter spoke to a coterie of media types) and he wants to fight Marquez. Everybody wants to fight Juan Ma but, come on, he is an old man (age 38) already…” It’s hardly a secret that the fight that provides the biggest money windfall for Boss Arum would be a fourth bout between Pacman and counterpuncher Juan Ma. Arum is still chattering about Juan Ma headlining against someone, possibly Rios especially in light of this disappointing effort and his move up to 140 pounds, at Cowboys Stadium on July 14. It’s, as you probably know, team and stadium owner Jerry Jones’ traditional Bastille Day boxing extravaganza. Maybe Uncle Bob digs up some nonthreatening Frenchman as Juan Ma fodder and calls the show apres moi le deluge or something. It’s likely the stylish Gesta will step up with a much more formidable foe, perhaps even a lightweight world title chance, on the undercard. World champ and also stylish Pinoy scrapper Nonito Donaire Jr. was also in the house but that little fellow has no plans to challenge Marquez.
