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Philippines, 20 Feb 2026 |
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GESTA WINS ?THE HAVOC AT HARD ROCK? IN 44 SECONDS (WITH PHOTOS) By Ed de la Vega, DDS PhilBoxing.com Sat, 23 May 2009  San Diego, CA:- Amidst a near sell out crowd at the Woodstock Terrace of San Diego?s Hard Rock Hotel, Rogue Promotions held their inaugural fight card. It was Thursday, May 21st and from someone not based in this lovely beach city, at first it appeared that it was not such a good idea to hold a fight card on the same night the San Diego Padres were playing baseball with the San Francisco Giants at the Stadium right next door to the Hard Rock Hotel. But obviously, Derek Pierce and his company knew that somehow the fight card will sell. Besides, they had good solid sponsors to back it up And, it did. The fight card, like most inaugural promotions go, was a bit late in getting started. It was indeed understandable being Rogue Promotions? first one and there were kinks to iron out. But when it got started, it went with a bang. The memory of the long wait was quickly wiped out by the outstanding performance of Mercito Gesta, the kid from Mandaue, Cebu who is now based in South San Diego. Gesta was matched against Tijuana?s 2008 Fighter of the Year, Alain ?Konan? Hernandez. Hernandez, a decent fighter was expected to give Gesta a good run for his money. But, that was not the case. As soon as the bell rung to begin the first round it appeared that the crowd will have a nice eight round card to enjoy and they begun to settle down. Gesta and Hernandez met at the middle of the ring and started to size each other. Gesta threw several quick sharp jabs that appeared to have surprised Hernandez. Gesta then kept of throwing lightning-fast combinations that pushed Hernandez to the red corner and brought a huge roar from the crowd. Hernandez quickly got out of that corner with Gesta in hot pursuit until they ended up in a neutral corner where Hernandez just covered up and Gesta raining several un-answered combinations. None of Gesta?s multiple punches appeared to be solid but the sheer number kept Hernandez on a helpless defensive position unable to even throw a punch. Thinking that the end was inevitable and to protect Hernandez from undue damage, referee Pat Russel, one of the best there is in California, decided to wave in and wrap his hands around Hernandez signaling that the fight is over. Time: 0:44 seconds of the first round. Top photo: Undefeated Mercito Gesta (R) of the Philippines who is now based in San Diego, CA, throws a left at Alain 'Konan' Hernandez of Tijuana, Mexico during their bout last night at the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown San Diego.  Referee Pat Russell (R) raises the hands of Mercito Gesta in victory as Gesta's trainer Carl Penalosa looks on.  Carlos Molina of City of Commerce, CA exchanges leathers with Anthony Martinez of Costa Rica.  Molina wins against Martinez.  Ronny Rios (R) of Santa Ana, CA sends Alvaro Muro to the canvas.  Rios wins.  Abraham Han (L) of El Paso, Texas, connects with a left against Ibraheim King of Palm Springs, Florida.  Han wins.  Sergio Espinosa (R) connects with a right against Benito Abraham.  Espinosa wins. Photos by Dr Ed de la Vega. Hernandez protested after he recovered but he and his corner did not have a prayer. Russell stood pat on his decision, a decision albeit unpopular but appeared to be right. ?It could have lasted another round?, a pundit said. The large partisan Filipinos that were present and a host of others who are neutral particularly those watching from the balconies of the Hard Rock Hotel cheered Gesta?s very quick win. Gesta?s victory should be a win-win situation for San Diego?s boxing promoters like Rogue Boxing. First they now know that people in that city will come and support a fight card. Second, the city now has a new poster boy in Gesta. If Gesta will be guided properly who knows where the young man will end. Hopefully, the people at Rogue Boxing recognized that they found a gem in Gesta and promote him to the max. With his talents, Gesta has a potential to move from a prospect to a contender. The results of the other fights are as follows: Ronny Rios of Santa Ana, CA KO?d Alvaro Muro in the 2nd round of the opening bout. Rios is now 5-0-0, 2KO while Muro dropped to 6-15-0-5KO. In the second bout, Sergio Espinosa (16-5-1, 5KO) beat Benito Abraham ( 9-16-4, 6KO) via a 6 round UD. Abraham Han ( 4-0-0 3KO) of El Paso, Texas won via an exciting UD over Ibraheim King 6-1-0,2KO) of West Palm Beach, Florida. In the supporting main event, Carlos Molina of the City of Commerce, Ca.,(7-0-0, 3KO) stayed undefeated with a UD win over Anthony Martinez (21-30-3, 9KO) of Turriabla, Costa, Rica. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.  |
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