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A Pinoy Great In The Making ? Mercito ?No Mercy? Gesta By Rob Cruz PhilBoxing.com Wed, 14 Sep 2011  The sky is the limit for Mercito ?No Mercy? Gesta as he is days away from his next fight and another opportunity to protect his unbeaten streak in his quest for a world championship. At 23 years old and without an amateur boxing background, Gesta?s boxing record is an impressive 22W-0L-1D, 12KO. Various writers from different publications have written about the surging young Filipino boxing phenom just over a year ago. Gesta all had good reviews on his dominant ring performances and his promising career. Since signing with Bob Arum and Top Rank Promotions, Mercito Gesta?s name and career will only get bigger and better. Is Mercito Gesta the real deal? Let his kickboxing and boxing record speak for itself. Before becoming a professional boxer at the age of 16, Gesta was an undefeated Muay Thai Kickboxer. He started kickboxing at the age of 7 and became a member of the International Amateur Muay Thai Federation I.A.M.T.F. Mercito Gesta is considered as the best fighter produced by Cito?s Martial Arts Club. Prizefighting is in Mercito Gesta?s genes, he is a second generation fighter and the son of Muay Thai Kickboxer Anecito Gesta. Mercito was introduced and exposed to martial arts at a very young age under the guidance and tutelage of his father who has seen his own success in prize fighting. Anecito Gesta operates his own gym in Cebu called Cito?s Martial Arts Club and is also the Founder and Director of C?MAC and a Vice President of I.A.M.T.F. This Saturday, Gesta faces Manuel Perez who is 16W-6L-1D, 4KO at the Bluewater Resort and Casino in Arizona. Manuel Perez has fought Brandon Rios twice resulting in a TKO loss back in Oct. 2009 and a 10 round draw back in Oct. 2008. Facing Manuel Perez is a good acid test and a measuring stick against WBA Lightweight Champion Brandon Rios fight which is a fight Team Gesta has their sight on. This writer had the opportunity to interview Vincent Parra who is the Manager/Trainer of Mercito Gesta regarding their history, work ethics and future plans. ------------------------------------------- Rob Cruz: On discovering Mercito Gesta, how did you meet and discover this young boxer? Vincent Parra: I first met Mercito in 2007 while working with former WBO bantam champ Cruz Carvajal. I can't say I discovered him because the talent was there, I just helped him to realize it. But he had great schooling before me. RC: What are your plans for Mercito within a couple of years time? VP: For the immediate future, September17th is all we think about. But beyond that its simple, become world champion and continue to make great fights for the fans. In two years I plan on him being a star. RC: Mercito is known for his explosive offense, what can you tell us about his defence? VP: Defense is a lost art. If you can defend anything a guy can throw at you, then you disarm them. We work a lot on that Mercito's defense is always improving, I see him rolling with punches at times, setting traps, his defense is educated and always improving. He's very much a thinker. RC: His fights usually end up as one sided, tell us which fight has tested Mercito the most thus far? VP: I felt going in Ivan Valle may be able to go some rounds, but that's about it. He only lasted 2. RC: What's it like to be his Manager/Advisor? VP: Its always a challenge, he's getting better and the fights bigger. It's satisfying, we've worked hard. It?s good to be in the mix. RC: Since signing with Top Rank, how has it changed Team Gesta? VP: Since signing with Top Rank not much has changed. Mercito has definitely stepped up training. But the goal is the same, championship. Top Rank can make it happen, it's great. But we stay humble and work hard. RC: What areas of improvement do you think Mercito could improve in as a boxer? VP: He can use his jab more, and he gets anxious at times and wants to bang , but that's normal. Focus is something we key on and he's improving there with every fight. RC: Your top 3 favorite boxers of all time. VP: Roberto Duran, Willie Pep, Sugar Ray Robinson. RC: Bob Arum stated that Mercito is the next Manny Pacquiao, how much potential does Mercito really have? VP: Bob is a great promoter, that's what he does. When you compare Manny to anyone people will take notice. He's a legend now. Mercito only needs to be himself and that's enough. Mercito will be a world champion, beyond that only time will tell. But all the tools are there to make his own name. RC: Tell us about Mercito's daily training routine when he is getting ready for a fight. VP: We do a 6 week camp. First 3 at (Alliance Gym) San Diego is strength, conditioning, mountain running , technique work. Last 3 weeks we move camp to LA and Wild Card Gym for sparring and floor work. It?s a great system for us so far. RC: Do you have any other boxers that you train and manage? VP Just one other right now, Aaron" Gavilan" Garcia, featherweight 10-2. He's actually fighting October 27 here in California for a WBC int. title vs Bernabe Concepcion. Two boxers are enough for me at this point. RC: Any plans on how can we see Mercito fight in a Manny Pacquiao card in the future? VP: That's up to Bob Arum. For Mercito it would be cool, but he also doesn't mind being the main event of his own show. --------------------------------------------------- As the Greatest Pinoy boxer of this generation talks about retirement after a couple of fights, Mercito Gesta is also within a couple of fights of being a Pinoy Great. Gesta will need to face tougher opponents with each fight to prove that he is no flash in the pan. In his quest of a championship, Gesta will need to be taken into the championship rounds against world class opponents where he will be truly tested. In closing, Anecito Gesta sends an inspirational and heartfelt message to his son Mercito as he heads into battle: To my son...... You had made it far, you had the skill, the speed, the mind and the heart and you are just 1 step closer to get your dream. But when you're already in the top stay humble. We are just right here supporting you son. We know You can do it!. We love you Anecito Gesta Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rob Cruz.  |
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