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Philippines, 21 Dec 2025 |
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GESTA WINS BY 3RD ROUND TKO By Rodger Padilla PhilBoxing.com Sat, 11 Jul 2009  SAN DIEGO, CA -- In the main event of the evening, Mercito Gesta (136lbs) from Mandaue City, Philippines scored a convincing TKO win against overmatched Devarise Crayton (138 lbs) of Orlando, Florida. From the opening bell, the southpaw Gesta systemically stalked the taller and fellow southpaw Crayton while landing some solid body shots. Crayton in the meantime was having success by using his longer reach to land some jabs on Gesta. Crayton got stunned by a Gesta right hook near the end of the first round which had an effect on Crayton because he rode his bicycle from the start of the second round. Gesta patiently stalked him by cutting off the ring. Crayton was forced to engage in the last 10 seconds of the round when he was pinned by Gesta on the ropes. Gesta ended the round with another big right hand. Crayton looked shaky and tired when the third round started. His tired legs didn't allow him to ran which allowed Gesta to score at will while Crayton's back was on the ropes. Referee Jose Cobian stepped in to halt the fight and award a TKO victory to Gesta at the 1:13 mark of the 3rd round. Gesta improved to 16-0-1 (7 KO's) while the late substitute Crayton fell to 6-6-2 ( KO's). Gesta was supposed to fight Damian Fuller who pulled out of the fight due to a shoulder injury. Marcus Upshaw (158 lbs) from Jacksonville, Florida scored a 2nd round TKO against Derrick Thomas (156.5 lbs) of Orange, California in the opening bout. After a slow first round from both fighters, Upshaw opened up with a double left hook seconds into the 2nd round to send Thomas down for the mandatory 8 count. After beating the count, Thomas tried to hang on, but Upshaw flattened him for the second and final time with another wickwd left hook to the jaw. The end came at 2:01 of the 2nd round as referee David Denkin didn't even bother to count. Upshaw improved his record to 11-3 (6 KO's) while Thomas fell to 2-8 (1 KO). In the second bout of the evening, crowd favorite and local boy Angel Estrada (146 lbs) got himself into a real fight against tough journeyman Raymundo Ortega (144 lbs) of Oaxaca, Mexico. An accidental clash of heads opened a gash on Ortega's left eye, but Ortega made it an exciting fight with some fierce exchanges. In the end, Estrada's superior boxing skills won him the fight with a unanimous decision. Judges Tony Cribbs and Alejandro Rochin both scored the fight 40-36, while retired US Marine Fritz Werner scored it 39-37. Estrada improved his record to 4-0-1 (2 KO's), while Ortega's record dipped to 1-6 (1 KO). Referee was Jose Cobian. Tonight's fight card which was billed as "Havoc at the Hard Rock II: No Mercy" was promoted by San Diego based Rogue Boxing Promotions and was held at the beautiful open air Woodstock. Terrace of the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown San Diego, California. Top photo: Gesta (L) lands with a right against Crayton in this bit of action from their fight Saturday night in San Diego, CA. 
Referee Jose Cobian (R) raises Gesta's hand in victory. At left is Gesta's trainer Carl Penalosa. 
The author (L) poses with the victorious Gesta. Photos by Dr Ed de la Vega. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rodger Padilla.  |
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