LAS VEGAS ? There are times when boxing pundits see a guy inside a ring (who seems to be a natural) and say: ?That guy is born to box.?
In Filipino boxer Mercito Gesta?s case, he actually believes he was born to box.
Born inside a makeshift boxing gym inside his home in Cebu, the 25-year-old Gesta [pronounced Hes-TA] believes boxing is his calling.
?I really do believe this is my destiny,? Gesta told the Asian Journal.
?Growing up I remember seeing the kids playing but I was training with my dad. I thought it was normal.?
This Saturday, December 8 at the MGM Grand in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight, Gesta is one of two Filipino fighters fighting for a championship belt.
But for Gesta, he has an opportunity to grow his boxing legacy, when he fights Miguel Angel Vasquez for the IBF Lightweight title.
To say this fight is important in this young Filipino?s career would be an understatement.
This title fight, his first, can easily make or break his career.
?This is a big opportunity for me,? he said. ?This is a start. Every fighter wants to fight for a title. Not all of them get this opportunity and now that I have this, this is really big. My goal in life and family?s is here. I want to make sure this happens. It?s really important.?
Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum has been grooming Gesta since signing him a few years ago. Arum said Gesta?s fight against Vasquez will determine whether he?s a champion or just another contender.
?We?ll see on Saturday night,? said Arum. ?[Gesta] is fighting a very experienced, very difficult Mexican champion and we?ll see how he does. We got him in this position where he can qualify for this match and now we?ll see.?
Born in the Philippines and raised in San Diego, Gesta began his professional career at the age of 16.
While Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire Jr., Brian Viloria and other Filipino boxers have been on the spotlight, Gesta has quietly (maybe violently inside the ring) built up his record.
With Pacquiao?s and Viloria?s career appearing to be in the tailend, and Donaire?s reaching its peak, there?s a spot for Gesta to become the heir apparent or next great Filipino champion.
?That?s the goal,? said Gesta. ?I?m just happy to have this opportunity.?
?Gesta is a good looking guy, speaks English and Tagalog really well,? said Boxing analyst Hermie Rivera. ?He?s a fresh face in boxing that bears watching.?
Rivera also agrees with Arum that Gesta?s bout on Saturday will serve as a litmus test for the young Filipino.
?The sky is the limit for Gesta especially if he defeats a runner like Vasquez,? he said.
If he wins Arum has already mapped out a plan for the Filipino.
?He?s going to do title defenses. We may bring him to [a future boxing event in] Macau,? he said. ?He will get into the rotation and become an HBO fighter or that kind of thing.?
Fight like a champ
Vasquez, however, won?t go down without a fight. Known as a defensive fighter, most pundits here believe he will avoid standing toe-to-toe and prefer to fight on the outside. Seven of his last eight fights have gone the distance.
The style may not be appealing, but it has been effective for him.
His style has even drawn the ire of Gesta?s trainer, Vince Parra, who called out the Mexican champion during the undercard press conference on Thursday.
?The general public likes action. The general public likes knockouts. No one likes to see anyone run,? said Parra directing his annoyance toward Vasquez. ?I know that?s his style and it?s effective for him. He?s a great kid. He?s a great champion…but this sport is all about legacy. He?s been a champion for two years and I couldn?t find anyone who knew who this kid was. Now, I?m asking him how does he want to be remembered in this sport? How do you want to be remembered in this night? Do you want to be remembered like the [Mexican greats] Chavez?s and Lupa Pintor and Salvador Sanchez?
?He?s going to lose on Saturday night,? he added. ?It?s all a matter of how he wants to go out. Does he want to go down with his shield like a warrior or does he want to be tracked down and hunted down for his belt??
Vasquez, who does not speak English, had the diatribe translated to him. He quickly responded with a challenge of his own.
?I have a unique style if you think he can catch me or trap me, come at me,? he said.
?If you feel he can beat me, come and get it. I?m going to win.?
Gesta just smiled as his trainer and Vasquez traded barbs.
Filled with nervous anticipation, Gesta said: ?I?m so excited. This is my first title fight. Right now, I?m so in shape. I can?t wait to explode in the ring.?
Other presscon notes
While undefeated rising prospect Mercito Gesta (pronounced Hes-Ta) takes on Vasquez, afterwards seasoned veteran Michael Farenas will battle against a tough Cuban opponent.
Once heralded as a rising star 28-year-old Farenas (34-3-4 26 KO) knows this may be his last opportunity to showcase his skills in a major title fight.
Farenas is described as an enigma by long-time Philippine boxing analyst Hermie Rivera.
?He showed a lot of talent early in his career but as he?s moved up, he?s had difficulty against the tough guys in his division,? said Rivera. ?But in this business, you know what the saying is, ?anything can happen.??
Though Farenas has won seven of his last eight bouts, none of those opponents come close in matching the skill level of Yuriorkis Gamboa, whom Farenas will be facing on December 8.
Gamboa is considered to be the best fighter in the featherweight division.
Just a couple years ago, the undefeated 30-year-old Cuban, a 2004 Olympic gold medalist, was ready to break out as boxing?s next superstar — until promotional battles delayed his career.
A former Top Rank client, Gamboa signed with Floyd Mayweather and 50 Cent?s new promotional company before his contract ended. That started a legal battle for his promotional rights before the two company?s came to an agreement.
50 Cent has since left his partnership with Mayweather and formed his own SMS Promotions bringing Gamboa along with him.
This is the promotion company?s first fight.
Having not fought in the past 15 months, Gamboa is excited to get back inside the ring.
?The delay will not affect how I fight on Saturday,? said Gamboa on Thursday.
Farenas said he knows all about Gamboa.
?I know I have a tough bout in front of me,? Farenas told Asian Journal.
The Filipino added he?s confident that he can ?shock the world.?
