Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta will not be the only Filipino boxer gunning for a world title belt on the Pacquiao-Marquez IV undercard.
The fight between Michael Fareñas (34W-3L-4D, 26 KOs) against undefeated former WBA/IBF featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (21W-0L, 16 KOs) of Cuba will be a battle for the WBA Interim world super featherweight title.
Top Rank Promotions released the official announcement regarding three world title bouts for the undercard pay-per-view match-ups last November 27.
Fareñas’ resolve and toughness will be tested against Gamboa, who is also a 2004 Olympic gold medalist. Fareñas is coming off a technical draw in his world title challenge in Japan last July against WBA super featherweight champion Takashi Uichiyama.
The unbeaten Gesta (26W-0L-1D, 14 KOs) on the other hand, will be getting his first world title shot against IBF lightweight champion Miguel “Titere” Vazquez (32W-3L, 13 KOs) of Mexico.
The third world title fight on the Pacquiao-Marquez undercard will involve unbeaten boxers Javier Fortuna of the Dominican Republic and Patrick Hyland of Ireland.
Another Pinoy slated to see action at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas is undefeated prospect Dodie Boy Peñalosa Jr. (9W-0L, 9 KOs) will be fighting Jesus Lule (6W -4L, 1 KO) of Florida. Dennis Laurente of Paranaque City has also been penned to fight Kenny Abril of New York in the undercard.
The fourth chapter of the torrid rivalry between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will be on the morning of December 9 here in the Philippines.