Vazquez-Gesta in Line as Pacquiao-Marquez Co-Feature

by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum stated that undefeated Filipino southpaw Mercito "No Mercy" Gesta is being lined up for an IBF lightweight title fight against Miguel Vazquez on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on December 8.

Arum told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that Gesta is now in training and if Vazquez, who faces Marvin Quintero in a mandatory title defense on October 27, wins and suffers no cuts or injuries he'll defend his title against Gesta on the Pacquiao-Marquez IV card.

Arum said "people tell me that its not a difficult fight (for Vazquez) and if he wins that fight and comes out unscathed then he is scheduled to fight Gesta for the lightweight title on December 8. That would be the co-feature."

Arum said "its interesting that in each of the two fights its a Mexican against a Filipino."

At the same time the Too Rank promoter said he has an arrangement with Pacquiao that "he is entitled to put on the non-televised undercard, two slots. So whoever he selects we will put on and matchup."

Former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa earlier disclosed that his nephew Dodie Boy Penalosa and protege Michael Farenas would see action on the Pacquiao-Marquez card.

The 25 year old Vazquez has a record of 31-3  with 13 knockouts while Quintero has a record of 25-3 with 21 knockouts.

Vazquez won the vacant title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Ji-Hoon Kim of Korea on August 14, 2010 and has had three successful title defenses.

Gesta is coming off an impressive 9th round TKO of Tvay Barnett last August 3.