Philippines, 24 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Gesta bounces back with Majority Decision nod over Manzanarez


PhilBoxing.com





Remove a world title fight in the equation and Mercito Gesta is undefeated in his sixteen-year professional career.

Nursing a recent title defeat loss against former WBA lightweight champion Jorge Linares in January, Gesta bounced back with a close Majority Decision victory over Mexican American Roberto Manzanarez (35-2, 28 KOs) at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California this Thursday night.

The chess match between the shorter but more agile Gesta and the taller and rangy Manzanarez resulted in scores of 95-95, 96-94 and 96-94 in favor of Gesta who hailed from Mandaue City and now fights out of San Diego, California.

Gesta utilized his speed and movement to get through the long arms of his foe while Manzanarez found success with his jabs and shots from the outside.

Enjoying a five-inch height and a 3-inch reach advantage over the 5?7 Filipino, the six-foot tall lightweight from Los Mochis kept the opposition at bay with his jabs and counters. He suffered a cut in his right eye in the fifth but regained the next round in his favor. He presented problems against Gesta who is unable to connect with his powerful left hand.

A solid start and a strong finish catapulted Gesta to a much-needed victory after a disappointing defeat to Linares six months ago. He also won the vacant WBO-NABO Lightweight title in the process.

?I feel confident. I feel great. Every fight is different but I feel comfortable and happy with my performance in this one,? Gesta stated.

But ESPN?s Punch Stats numbers slightly favored Gesta?s opponent. Manzanarez landed 144 out of 439 shots or 33% while Gesta landed 119 out of 448 or 27%. Manzanarez also edged Gesta in jabs (21% to 10%) and power punches (119/318 to 104/298) thrown and connected.

?He is a tough opponent. I?ve hurt him a couple of times but he stayed in there and he fought toe to toe,? described Gesta.

But it was not a toe to toe battle as Gesta described, the 10 round fight dragged with minimal highlights to boast of.

Gesta?s other defeat came in in an IBF light world title clash in 2012 against Miguel Vasquez, also by Unanimous Decision.


You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and @Freemazon910 on Twitter.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • PEDRO TADURAN RETAINS IBF TITLE WITH SPLIT DECISION VICTORY OVER GINJIRO SHIGEOKA IN OSAKA (PHOTOS)
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 24 May 2025
  • It's Both 2-0 in the NBA East and West Finals - Can Indiana and Oklahoma Still be Stopped?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 24 May 2025
  • Usmonov Stops Pagara in 3 in Title Fight in Tajikistan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 24 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES TWO HIGH-STAKES SUPPORTING BOUTS FOR CLARESSA SHIELDS’ UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT
    , Sat, 24 May 2025
  • Taylor vs. Essuman & Leo vs. Kameda Preview and Picks
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 23 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM JAPAN: TADURAN - 104.5 LBS., SHIGEOKA - 104.9 LBS.
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 23 May 2025
  • Suelo rules Thailand Open Rapid Chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 23 May 2025
  • Magsayo fights on Manny undercard
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 May 2025
  • Jessie Villasin chess tournament on June 8
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 23 May 2025
  • Olympic medalists Elor, Dake among 16 World Team Trials champions qualified for 2025 Final X in Newark, N.J.
    , Fri, 23 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 3 - FRAZIER WINS FIGHT OF THE CENTURY BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Indiana Keeps Coming and Snatches Game One, Shocks New York in OT, 138-135 at MSG
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • The Pacquiao Quarters for the Barrios Fight – A Brilliant Choice!
    By Ed de la Vega, DDS, , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Filipinos Run 130,000 Kilometers in FundLife’s ‘Move for Equity’ Campaign for Gender Equality and Girls’ Safety
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • DAVID STEVENS TO FACE PETR KHAMUKOV IN SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT MAIN EVENT ON FRIDAY, JUNE 20, LIVE ON DAZN FROM THUNDER STUDIOS
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • ARMANDO RESENDIZ TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION NINO BENVENUTI
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Daniel Miranda Ready to Take on 2025 Irohazaka Car Meet Drift Series
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Top Rank Signs Dominican Olympian Euri “La Bazooka” Cedeño to Co-Promotional Pact with King’s Promotions
    , Thu, 22 May 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao Confirms Return to Ring Against Mario Barrios on July 19
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 2 - FIRST ALI-FRAZIER FIGHT, THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • CLARESSA SHIELDS’ MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • The Natural: Top Rank Signs Teenage Sensation Julian Montalvo to Promotional Contract
    , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • Paras and Gaballo Set to Battle Thai Contenders in Gensan
    , Wed, 21 May 2025
  • WBC #2 BADILLO TO FACE WBC #8 ZAPATA IN LIGHT FLYWEIGHT FINAL ELIMINATOR ON PROBOX TV, JULY 11
    , Wed, 21 May 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.