SAN FRANCISCO–It was expected to be mere batting practice for power hitter Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta, this rematch with Mexican Genaro Trazancos.
With a national TV audience and a near selllout crowd of 1,000 or so in the friendly confines of cozy Longshoreman’s Hall, hard by Fisherman’s Wharf, watching on Friday night, the undefeated (21-0-1, 11 KOs) Filipino slugger took only three rounds as opposed to seven in their 2010 bout to take the victory.
Nearly every shot Gesta threw was a bomb and one was as close to perfect as a punch, a wicked left uppercut which nearly separated Trazancos’ head from his neck during the third round.
Trazancos stayed on his feet despite that slamming shot and a series of thudding right jabs and body punches by the 23 tear old southpaw but he was rescued by the ringside physician seconds before round four of the scheduled eight was to begin.
The modest Gesta praised his foe’s courage if not his skills. (Trazancos’ record dipped to 22-14-3.)
The 36 year old Trazancos has only won twice in his last 14 bouts over a seven year time frame. At this point, the old warrior is a punch bag only.
“I have a big respect for the guy because he showed a lot of heart,” Gesta said. “We knew I could connect on the inside against him from the first bout.
“I hit him with that uppercut so solidly and somehow he stayed on his feet.”
Gesta has no quarrel with those who say the caliber of his opposition needs an immediate upgrade.
“I want to fight the best in my division,” Gesta said. “Anybody in my weight (lightweight, although he was 140 here) I want to fight.”
Promoter Don Chargin said he’s not putting the brakes on Gesta’s progress but doesn’t want to rush him, either.
That’s an amazing thing to hear from an 83 year old promoter but Chargin is a master mover of fighters with six decades of experience in adroitly doing just that.
“He looked good but Mercito took some liberties with this kid, like dropping his hands,” Chargin said. “He better not do that against better fighters. But he knew he could get away with it because he knew this guy inside out.”
So the Gesta Express rolls on with the opposite corner about to get a serious upgrade.
Gesta does not call himself the next anyone, certainly not the next Pacquiao.
He’s just the latest who might be the greatest but the highway is going to get more perilous from here on out.
