Ni Gilbert Espeña
PUSPUSAN ang pagsasanay ni two-time world title challenger Mercito Gesta ng Pilipinas laban sa Amerikanong si Robert Manzanarez para sa bakanteng WBO NABO lightweight title sa Hunyo 14, sa Fantasy Springs Casino sa Indio, California.
Magsisilbing main event ang sagupaan nina Gesta at Manzanarez sa June 14 Edition ng Golden Boy Boxing para sa ESPN boxers, kung saan bahagyang paborito ang Pilipino na sinasanay ni Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach sa Wildcard Gym sa Hollywood, California.
“I feel excited for every fight. It’s another great event. Every event that I fight I treat as something special,” sabi ni Gesta sa BoxingScene.com. “Manzanarez is tough, but I’ll need to figure him out in the ring. Based on the videos, it’s tough to get on the inside because he’s tall, long and knows how to use that as advantages,” dagdag pa niya.
Huling lumaban si Gesta noong Enero 27, 2018 sa The Forum, Inglewood, California at natalo siya kay WBA lightweight champion Jorge Linares ng Venezuela sa 12-round unanimous decision.
“I learned from my world title fight. It boosted my confidence because I did so well against a great fighter. Every opponent is different and has different styles. I can’t look down on this guy. He’s not a stepping stone, and I will treat him as a world champion,” dagdag ni Gesta. “I see myself fighting for a world title again soon. I still feel strong and ready. I still have a long way left in my career. I want any champion in the division. I’m always ready to take a fight.”
May record si Gesta na 31-2-1 na may 17 panalo sa knockouts, samantalang si Manzanarez ay may kartadang 36 panalo, 1 talo na may 29 pagwawagi sa knockouts.
