By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Undefeated Filipino southpaw Mercito Gesta (15-0-1, 6 KO’s) faces a tough test when he takes on veteran lightweight Damian Fuller (30-6-1, 14 KO’s) in the main event at the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown San Diego on July 10.
 
Derek Pierce, president of Rogue Boxing Promotions informed us that  Gesta’s showdown with Fuller “is a great step up fight f or him and should be exciting.”
 
Gesta who was formerly a member of the Stonewall Boxing Gym in Liloan, Cebu under American Terry Carter and his partner Joy Ouano has said in the past that Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has been his inspiration and he’d like to learn from him particularly in terms of Pacquiao’s footwork.
 
Gesta is coming off a first round TKO over Adrian Hernandez, Tijuana ’s 2008 “Prospect of the Year” last May 21. The Filipino who is trained by Carl Penalosa Jr exploded with a flurry of punches that prompted referee Pat Russel to embrace Hernandez to prevent him from absorbing any more punishment with the end coming at 44 seconds of the opening round. It was the fifth straight win of Gesta since he started campaigning in the US with a six round majority decision win over Carlos Madrid.
 
Fuller who is also a southpaw has fought some of the best including the late Diego “ Chico ” Corrales and Lovemore N’dou in 2003. Described as a “slick, smart boxer” by the noted boxing analyst Graham Houston, Fuller may have lost his last two fights but they were against top class opponents.
 
The 31 year old Fuller lost by a 9th round TKO to southpaw Tyronne “Fist of Fury” Harris (22-4, 15 KO’s) in a battle for the vacant USBA title on October 17, 2008. Harris in turn had lost to undefeated sensation Urbano Antillon (25-0, 19 KO’s) by a 5th round TKO on May 1, 2009. Antillon is the same fighter who destroyed Pacquiao’s younger brother, Bobby Pacquiao, in one round on March 13, 2008.
 
Fuller also dropped a ten round unanimous decision to the stronger Fernando Angulo at the Staples Center on November 23, 2007 . Before that Fuller was unbeaten in ten straight fights although he was held to a draw by veteran John Brown. Angulo had hard-hitting Filipino Ranee “KO Kid” Ganoy as one of his victims, scoring a 4th round TKO on December 5, 2008.
 
One of Fuller’s most impressive performances was when he scored a 2nd round TKO over Matt Zegan (37-3, 21 KO’s) on October 13, 2007  clearly indicating that Gesta will be tested to the limit on July 10.