MECITO “No Mercy” Gesta will take another step in his quest for boxing stardom when he fights Manuel Perez of Colorado at the BlueWater Resort and Casino in Parker, Arizona today.
Gesta (22W-0L-1D, 12 KOs) and Perez (16W-6L-1D, 4 KOs) both weighed 136lb during yesterday’s official weigh-in. This will be Gesta’s second appearance under Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions. Last July, the 23-year-old Cebuano southpaw stopped Jorge Pimentel in three rounds in Carson, California.
To prepare for today’s bout, Gesta has sparred with former champions Shane Mosley, Paulie Malignaggi and Jorge Linares. He even sparred with Mosley’s son, Shane Jr.
Perez won the WBC Latino lt.welterweight title in his last bout in March, stopping Randy Arrellin in eight rounds. The 27-year-old Perez holds a one-draw, one-loss record in two fights against current WBA lightweight world champion Brandon Rios.
The Gesta vs. Perez showdown will be a 10-round non-title bout.
Also set to appear in the card is another unbeaten rising star of Top Rank, Jose Benavidez (12W-0L, 11 KOs) of the US who will fight Dedrick Bell (6W-9L, 4 KOs).
Benavidez also had a well-publicized sparring session with Gesta at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.