Gesta-Trazancos II Will Serve a Purpose, Says Chargin

By Michael Marley

SAN FRANCISCO - Promoter Don Chargin thinks Mercito Gesta's rematch with Genaro Trazancos, who the Cebuano stopped in seven rounds last year, will serve a purpose. The fight is set to take place this coming Friday at Longshoreman Hall in San Francisco, California.

"We thought we had Hector Velasquez but he hemmed and hawed, he delayed in signing the contract. This guy caught Mercito with a few right hands last time out so we can see if Mercito has improved his defense. No doubt, Mercito will be fighting tougher guys in the future but a great fight between him and Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios would make sense only if it was a world title fight. I'm not rushing Mercito because there is no need to do so."

Trazancos prepped in a Tijuana gym sparring endless rounds with lefthanded Antonio DeMarco so he may be more ready for Gesta in this rematch also.

John Chavez reports that about 700 of the 1,100 tickets for the show have been sold already with all locations being “ringside” and starting at a mere $50.

Chavez and his Street Team were hustling at a Daly City bowling center populated mostly by Filipinos Wednesday night, along with KMEL Radio and a young City Council member on the rise. The tyro politico's name is David J. Canepa and he's cognizant of what the Fil-Am vote means in the nearby suburb.

“I get out to support the various Filipino causes and activities,” Canepa said. “A lot of the people love boxing and they especially love their hero, Pacquiao. I'm anxious to see this young guy, Gesta, and see what he has got. Between Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire and now Gesta, the Filipinos have plenty to cheer about in boxing. It's very cool that the president had Manny over to the White House, that is awesome."

Gesta did not make a scheduled appearance at the bowling alley as he was battling a slight cold.

“Mercito will be 100 percent ready to fight,” Chargin said. “I'm not looking to rush him. We're bringing him along at a good pace and I think the Bay Area fans, Pinoys or not Pinoys, will be really like his take no prisoners style.

“Mercito packed them in San Diego in recent bouts and we think we will have the fans wall to wall in this great location.”