His journey to boxing superstardom

From his humble beginning in a small, cramped gym in Mandaue City, to his spell-binding conquests in glitzy boxing arenas in the US, 24-year old Cebuano Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta is trailblazing his way to boxing superstardom.

And this comes as no surprise for a man who started wearing boxing gloves at the age of six, until he captured the WBO NABO Youth Lightweight crown last year.

His is the story of the man they call “Merciless” but who is proving to be the exact opposite of his moniker. Who draws strength from his family who is his motivation and inspiration in each of his fights.

Gesta (24W-0L-1D 12KOs), turned pro at the tender age of 16 due to his desire to help feed his family. He trained first as a kickboxer under the guidance of his father, Aniceto Gesta Sr., who is a former MMA and Muay Thai fighter.

“Pagkat-on nako ug lakaw gi tudlo-an dayon ko sa akong father about kick boxing pero wala ko nagdahom ing-ani ka dako akong maabot,” said Gesta during his recent homecoming to his father’s town of San Remegio.

His father decided to switch Gesta’s training to boxing upon seeing the huge potential of his son in the sport.

During his early years in boxing, Mercito tried to impress his manager from the Stone Wall Gym in Lilo-an, Cebu so that he will be included in the gym’s line-up of boxers.

“Wala ko mahimo nag boxing na lang jud ko kay ang boxing man gud angay jud sa mga pobre ug mga naglisod kay ang kwarta medyo dali ra pero grabe pud ang sakripisyo,” he said.

SOLID START

Gesta only reached second year in high school, but did not lose hope that a brighter future is still in store for him.

With a good background in blood sports, Gesta caught the eye of local boxing scouts by posting 11 straight wins. He was eventually taken in by Manny Pacquioa’s MP Promotions and was part of a small contingent of boxing prospects brought to the US in 2006. His record then stood at 20W-0L-1D, 11KOs.

From Los Angeles, Gesta moved to San Diego and hooked up with trainer Carl Penalosa of the famed boxing clan after leaving MP Promotions.

Upon his transfer to San Diego, Mercito avoided the limelight and embraced anonymity until legendary trainer Freddie Roach opened the doors of his Wild Card Gym to the talented Filipino.

The chance to finally grab the boxing spotlight came when Gesta signed a four-year promotional contract with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions. Gesta saw his dreams slowly turning to reality.

“Nindot jud kayo akong gibati atong panahona. It feels to be under a promoter like Bob (Arum) kay kahibalo ko nindot jud iyahang ikontra nako” said Mercito.

During his debut as a Top Rank fighter, Mercito impressed Arum by knocking out Mexican Jorge Pimentel in the third round in the undercard of WBA light welterweight champion Brandon Rios of Mexico in Carson, California.

He considered his bout against Ricardo Dominguez last November as the toughest although he won via unanimous decision after 10 rounds.

“Naglisod jud ko ato kay kusog ug kumo pero nagpasalamat pud ko sa akong kaugalingon nga nakaya nako kay fit man gud kaayo iyahang style para nako so na control nako ang fight,” said Gesta.

After snatching the WBO NABO Youth lightweight crown from Oscar Meza last 2010, Gesta successfully defended his belt against top Mexican prospects Genaro Trazancos, Ivan Valle, Pimentel and Manuel Perez.

WANTS RIOS NEXT

His next big test will be Miguel Vasquez next year but his dream of fighting Rios remains fetched as the latter faced weight problems during his fight against John Murray for the WBA world lightweight title. Rios won that fight with an 11th-round TKO.

“Kung madayon amu fight ni Rios mayo jud kayo. Nindot man gud kayo na siya nga fight. I can beat him kung sakto lang jud ko sa training,” said Gesta.

Gesta admits that he is just starting to etch his name in big time boxing and quitting is never an option. Which is also the gist of his advice to upstarts hoping to follow in his footsteps.

“Akong advice lang jud sa tanang Filipino boxers nga nangandoy mahimo nga champion, disiplina lang jud sa kaugalingon, ayaw ninyo buhi-i inyong pangandoy, train hard and you will win.”

And when its time for him to hang his boxing gloves, Gesta said he will retire in his father’s hometown of San Remigio where he has already bought a parcel of land. He also plans to build a house in Labogon, Mandaue where all his dreams started.