Gesta knocks out Cuero in 8th round

After his impressive win over Colombian Oscar Cuero yesterday at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Cebuano WBO NABO light welterweight champion Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta is now setting his sights on newly crowned WBO interim light-welterweight champion Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez.

Gesta knocked out Cuero in the eighth round with combinations to the head and body in the undercard of the WBA world interim lightweight bout between Brandon Rios and Cuban Richard Abril. Rios won via split decision.

Meanwhile, Marquez won the WBO interim light-welterweight belt against Ukrainian Sergey Fedchenko in Mexico City.

Top Rank big boss Bob Arum announced that Gesta’s next fight will be on July 14 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Anecito Gesta, father of Mercito, said it would possibly be a matchup against Marquez or Brandon Rios.

According to Anecito, the newly crowned champion Rios of Mexico is a perfect match for his son but they are expecting that Rios’ camp will back out.

“For me, Rios will be easier than Marquez. I doubt that Rios will fight my son, that’s why we are also considering to continue to convince Marquez to fight my son,” said Anecito in an email sent to Cebu Daily News.

Rios was not so impressive against Abril yesterday. Anecito said he saw some glitches in Rios’ style.

Marquez, on the other hand, won despite his age disadvantage against a younger opponent.

“For me, Mercito is ready to face anyone in the 135lbs to 140lbs even in a title bout.”

Mercito will rest for two weeks and before resuming his training for the July 14 bout.

“His training will be rigid and hard so that he will be fully prepared for this big fight on July.”

Anecito said his son has to improve his speed, agility and his right hand punches for a more lethal killer blow.