Here’s a kid who had practically nothing but a fighting dream, took it oceans and thousands of miles away, ran with it, and is now at the cusp of stardom. He didn’t even have an amateur boxing background to go by. Armed with his father’s words and teachings and two large sacks filled with courage, a 19-year-old Mercito Gesta joined a band of hopefuls to LA behind the promise of MP Promotions to pursue his boxing dreams.
Just like most roads to success, Gesta’s was filled with pot holes and detours, but the determined kid laid down and laboriously followed his own path that extracted him away from snakes and hyenas, and led him to people that have been essential to his rise, and even facilitated his reunion with the man turned him into a fighter.
Anybody who has witnessed his fighting style and has seen his killer instinct in the ring when he has an opponent yielding knows exactly why he is called “No Mercy”. The road has been wearisome, and his patience constantly tested. Gesta has no interest in holding back for anyone that stands between him and his aspirations.
Video: Mercito Gesta vs. Ty Barnett (full fight) Video
Kings have the world in their palms and everything they desire. They get fat, lose motivation, and egos bloated by cohorts and subjects to whom he can never do wrong. Manny Pacquiao is a fast-fading king. The songs and hymns glorifying his name has made his sword blunt. The riches and the fame has taken away his hunger and fire. And even when his talents and natural ability carry him through against an extremely motivated adversary, he has lost the killer instinct to finish them off. Adversity and struggle can galvanize men, but fortune can do the exact opposite.
Chances are, Pacquiao didn’t have the time to watch Gesta’s fight. Hopefully, he gets the opportunity to do so at some point, and witness how one of former aspirant under his failure of a boxing promotional umbrella, endured despite all the hardships. Surely, the way Gesta tried to repeatedly finish off Ty Barnett and how he thrilled his fans will remind him of how he used to jump at his opponents and blow them away.
Pacquiao has declined, but only because he has allowed himself to do so. Physically, he can still dominate the sport of boxing and be its top dog for a couple more years. But just like another Filipino boxing legend once told me, boxing is 10% physical, 90% mental. Maybe Gesta’s inspiring victory can help inspire Pacquiao anew. Forget all the previous titles, awards and whatever else. Pacquiao has already earned his place in history as one of the greatest. What I’m talking about is the current; the belt-less Pacquiao who has been mediocre in the last 2-3 years.
Sometimes, capable kings can learn from princes too, unless he’s simply content to pass the torch so soon. And if so, just do so already and allow others their chance to shine completely.
