Philippines, 04 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


GESTA GOING AFTER KATSIDIS


PhilBoxing.com




Undefeated Filipino southpaw Mercito ?No Mercy? Gesta has two more fights to hurdle before his team feels he?ll be ready to face WBO interim champion Michael Katsidis (27-2, 22 KO?s) of Australia.

The 22 year old Gesta?s co-manager Vince Parra who is in Los Angeles with Gesta as he continues his preparation for an August 20 showdown with 35 year old Mexican journeyman Genaro Trazcanos told us Gesta will soon after defend his WBO North American Boxing Organization Youth title on September 17 in San Diego against an unknown challenger as of now.

After the title defense arranged by Gesta?s promoter Don Chargin, Parra said ?we are going after Michael Katsidis.?

Parra disclosed that he received a call from Chargin who was at the title fight between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan ?Baby Bull? Diaz in which Marquez retained his title with a comfortable unanimous points decision and that Chargin informed him he was with Golden Boy and Katsidis and ?they are trying to make that fight.?

Parra conceded that a Katsidis fight ?is somewhat of a long shot because he is chasing the big names for the big money but we feel with the next two fights and some good performances Golden Boy will get behind us to make the fight happen. They are talking about as early as January 11 and we hope to be fighting Katsidis for the WBO crown.?

The co-manager said that since his last fight on June 4 this year when he forced talented and tough Oscar ?Estudiante? Meza (19-3, 17 KO?s) retire in the 4th round to win the WBO NABO title, Gesta has ?gotten into a strength training program and I?m very proud of him.?

Parra noted that the young Filipino who fights out of San Diego and has a record of 18-0-1 with 8 knockouts has ?really stepped up his work ethic. He knows that success is close and right now he is very focused on just this next fight.?

Parra said Gesta is confident he can beat Katsidis while he himself is certain that Gesta ?can out-box him for sure and fully dominate him with good boxing and natural hand-speed.?

Gesta has looked impressive in taking on two top-notch sparring partners of pound-for-pound king and fellow Filipino southpaw Manny Pacquiao, welterweight Abdullah Amidu who has a record of 18-0 with 17 knockouts and Raymund Beltran who sports a record of 23-4 with 15 knockouts.

Parra told us he was very pleased with the sparring and the manner in which he handled both experienced and tough fighters and indicated ?it?s just a matter of time before people realize how talented Mercito is.?

Top photo: Vince Parra (L) and Mercito Gesta pose for a photo at the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood Friday. Photo by Dong Secuya.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Signs Undefeated Nicaraguan Knockout Artist Jordan “La Cobrita” Orozco
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS 
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.