By Dennis 'dSource' Guillermo
24-year-old boxing rising star Mercito "No Mercy" Gesta (24-0-1, 12 KOs) is hungry and ready for a big year. Fresh from a 2-month long vacation in his hometown in Mandaue City, Cebu during the Christmas season, the undefeated lightweight pug is back in San Diego training hard and chomping at the bit for his big opportunity.
Reunited with his father Anecito, whom he brought back to San Diego with him from Cebu to help out with his training, Gesta is aiming for nothing less than a world title, and is ready for the first champion in his division that would be willing to give him the opportunity in doing so.
There is one name Gesta wouldn't mind fighting who's not a current champion in his division. As a matter of fact, Gesta says he's done tired of calling him out. That name is Brandon Rios (29-0-1, 22 KOs), who lost his belt WBA belt to the scales last December when he fought John Murray.
"We've been asking for (Brandon) Rios for a title, but they don't want that fight. I don't know, but right now we have other options; maybe (Miguel) Vazquez. But right now we're telling them that we're ready for a title fight," Gesta told me.
Gesta also chimed in on his thoughts about the finalized match-up between Rios and featherweight star Yuriorkis Gamboa (21-0-0, 16 KOs), which happens on April 14th at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. With the fight taking place at 135-pounds, Gesta favors Gamboa.
"Honestly for me, Gamboa is more dangerous than Rios," Gesta opined and added, "I think that's a good fight, but Rios will have a hard time with Gamboa. I know Gamboa is smaller, but I think he can hang, because he's fast, he got that speed, so I think it'll be a good one."
One thing Gesta is sure of, is that he is willing to fight either guy or the winner of that potential match-up. But for now, while the offers have yet to come, Gesta and his team are aiming and working on fine tuning his arsenal, and will be shooting for more sensational victories and knockouts to force the big networks and promoters to give him the big fights he feels he deserves.
Dennis 'dSource' Guillermo is a prolific boxing writer. Follow him onTwitter, and for an archive of his work click here. You e-mail him at DennisGuillermo2@yahoo.com
