Philippines, 09 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


UNDEFEATED GESTA HEADS A FIGHT CARD THIS THURSDAY IN SAN DIEGO


PhilBoxing.com




Special for Philboxing.com from SAN DIEGO, California - Mercito Gesta, 22, a talented and a fast-punching southpaw from Mandaue, Cebu, Philippines, is ready to headline in the lightweight division against Cristian Favela (17 wins, 24 losses, 6 draws) of Sinaloa, Mexico at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in San Diego, California, this Thursday, February 25.

In an exclusive interview via telephone a few moments ago as per courtesy call to this writer, Felipe Leon, the Public Relations agent of Mercito Gesta, says Favela whom Gesta won over by unanimous decision in 2008 will have to replace Jaime Orrantia (12 wins, 26 losses, 5 draws), who was supposed to be the opponent of the Cebuano fighter.

Leon says the California Athletic Commission disapproves Orrantia's fight against Gesta for unknown reason and switches Orrantia instead to fight Antonio Orozco whose professional record seals 5 wins and zero defeat.

On the other hand, Favela, whose last seven fights exhibit series of losses - all by unanimous decisions, is seen as a better fighter against Gesta, as a matter of rematch, according to Leon.

On one hand, Leon believes Favela is a stronger opponent than Orrantia, in that Favela was never knocked out in his last seven fights and is seen as more experienced than the latter.

However, Leon believes that his team expects a win by knockout this time over Favela, a rugged La Raza who is now residing in Los Angeles, California.

Gesta, bearing a record of 16 wins, 0 defeat and 1 draw and whose last two fights last year at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego California ended by stunning knockouts in rounds 1 and 3 respectively, has made him a hot prospect for a title shot in a few years to come, says his promotional manager, Vincent Parra, who sets up boxing matches with Rogue Boxing Promotions.

In another exclusive interview via telephone as per courtesy call to this writer, Gesta says, "This is just a small boxing event. But, this is very important for me, for my family and for my fans, especially for my countrymen."

Gesta is formerly with the Stonewall Boxing Gym of American Terry Carter and of the latter's business partner, Joy Ouano of Liloan, Cebu.

Gesta now lives in San Diego and is trained by Carl Penalosa, the elder brother of former two-division world champion, Gerry Penalosa.

Meanwhile, ending his almost six months of lay-off, Gesta is never short of inspiration. His thoughts put his focus as one of emulation: Manny Pacquiao's uncommon self-discipline in matters of training for a boxing match.

Gesta says Pacquiao is his "boxing idol", whom he claims has given him the motivation to enter into the ring of madness.

"Pacquiao seems to be a tireless machine," says Gesta as he takes notice of his idol's rare discipline.

"He has tremendous stamina," he further says of Pacquiao whom he thinks has a great footwork which is so complex that makes the said boxing superstar even more unpredictable against any opponent.

"Pacquiao's hand-speed is devastating and works very well with his footwork," says Gesta who has seen Pacquiao's closed-door sparring sessions in recent weeks at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. "And it will be very difficult for Joshua Clottey, whom Pacquiao will fight this March 13 at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium, to pin down Pacquiao."

"Pacquiao is simply a gifted and a well-discipline fighter and I am learning a lot from his techniques and self-discipline," he adds.

Note: Granville Ampong, an award-winning speechwriter and a broadsheet columnist for California Examiner, Nevada Examiner and Manila-US Times, is chosen again as the lead/primary writer, along with Dr. Ed de la Vega, a dental-surgeon-turned prolific writer and photo-journalist, for the Pacquiao vs. Clottey, dubbed "The Event", at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas, this March 13, 2010. You may send your comment(s) to granvilleampong@aol.com.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Granville Ampong.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
    , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
    , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
    , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Rizal Memorial Coliseum: The Arena That Endured War and Forged Generations of Filipino Greats
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • “The Homecoming” turned into Coronation for Marco Romero
    , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz Speaks After Pushing Eduardo Nunez to the Limit in Thrilling War – A Potential Fight of the Year
    , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 08 Sep 2025
  • Locked & loaded for Lewis Crocker rematch, Paddy Donovan has prepared to be crowned the new IBF Welterweight World Champion
    , Mon, 08 Sep 2025
  • Robby Gonzales Advances to Round of 16 with Win Over Cuba
    , Mon, 08 Sep 2025
  • James Padua rules Marikina rapid chess championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 08 Sep 2025
  • Remembering Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde: A Pilgrimage of Gratitude
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • Hometown Triumph: Oscar Valdez Defeats Ricky Medina by Decision
    , Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • Team USA Captures Two Wins on Day Three of 2025 World Boxing Championships
    , Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • McCormack Stops Parra in 9
    , Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • Monika Singh Makes History as India's Newest Youth World Champion
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • Who is Nico Walsh?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • Kelvin Watts Highlights Day Two of World Boxing Championships for Team USA
    , Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Oscar Valdez vs. Ricky Medina
    , Sat, 06 Sep 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM LOS MOCHIS: Eduardo Nuñez - 130 Lbs., Christopher Diaz - 129.6 Lbs.
    , Sat, 06 Sep 2025
  • “THE HOMECOMING” OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
    , Sat, 06 Sep 2025
  • ‘SUGAR’ NUNEZ VS. ‘PITUFO’ DIAZ – PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Sat, 06 Sep 2025
  • SUNDERLAND: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 06 Sep 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.