Philippines, 06 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


GESTA BEGINS TO TURN UP THE HEAT


PhilBoxing.com




Undefeated Filipino southpaw Mercito ?No Mercy? Gesta (25-0-1, 13 KO?s) has started sparring with two young Mexican-American light welterweights in preparation for his showdown with American Ty Barnett (20-2-1, 13 KO?s) at the Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas on August 3 in a fight to be telecast by ESPN.

Gesta?s trainer and co-manager Vince Parra told the Manila Standard that ?we are turning up the heat a little bit and we?ll be ready to go? even as the Top Rank fighter sets his sights on a world title shot.

Parra said he had watched Barnett "a little bit on television" and although he has been stopped twice he described Barnett as a decent fighter who reminds me a little bit of Lamont Peterson? since they both come from the Washington DC area.

Barnett lost by a 3rd round knockout to undefeated Russian Andrey Klimov (10-0, 6 KO's) on May 14 last year after being previously stopped in the 1st round by Juan Santiago on October 10, 2009.

He said Gesta is ?looking forward to come out aggressively after Barnett made a statement that he would knock Mercito out. We hope he comes to fight.?

Gesta is coming off an 8th round TKO of Oscar Cuero whom he dropped in rounds 7 and 8 last April 14 while Barnett is also fresh from an 8th round TKO of Robert DaLuz last May 12.

Parra said that Top Rank promoter Bob Arum had told him that it was not the right time to fight Juan Manuel Marquez which was a fight Gesta was hoping for even as the co-manager told us ?it's been hard to get Mercito opponents.?

However, he said there was a lot of talk about a possible fight against Miguel Vazquez and that they would be ?more than happy to make that fight? against the IBF lightweight champion from Mexico who has a record of 31-3 with 13 knockouts.

Parra said that they are not looking beyond Barnett because ?he is a tough fighter in his own right and after this fight hopefully we can get a shot at Miguel Vazquez.?

Parra indicated that he would watch the unification title fight between WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire and IBF champion Jeffrey Mathebula at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on July 7 along with Gesta and his dad, Anecito who helps train Mercito in the San Diego gym.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland!
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Yanong and Horiike make weight in Japan for OPBF 140 lb. title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Kulog at Kidlat: Boxing, Art, Thunder and Lightning at the 3rd Pacquiao–Elorde Awards
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Camique forced to fight after food poisoning; hospitalized after losing by UD
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Tony Tolj Previews Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Mexican boxing historian Eduardo Lamazón passes away at 70
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • NM Rolly Parondo rules Thailand FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Wardley vs Dubois: 95% KO Power Collides in Manchester — Winner Gets Usyk Next
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Former Cuban champions Gamboa and Rigondeaux returns on May 30 in Fort Lauderdale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Pido to defend crown in SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Yanong arrives in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC UNDISPUTED CLASH IN EGYPT – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • Parade of champs
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • David Surov outboxes Kevin Martinez at IBA.PRO Russia vs World
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • SHEEHY MAKES MATCHROOM DEBUT AGAINST GONZALEZ IN HOUSTON
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • PH chess wizard IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca tops FIDE May 2026 PH Under 20 Junior rankings
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • The Monster Prevails: Inoue Weathers the Storm to Outlast Nakatani
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • 2nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 May 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.