"Hopefully, next year I can fight for a world title. I'm working on that world championship belt and winning it...if they give me a shot. A championship fight, I will be ready for that. I think I'm ready for a championship fight at the beginning of the year," stated rising undefeated lightweight Mercito Gesta. The lightning fast up-and-coming Filipino sensation and his manager, Vincent Parra, spoke with FightHype as they prepare for the upcoming October 22 clash with Ivan Valle, his toughest competition to date. Confident in his future, both Gesta and Parra believe a championship fight is waiting for them some time next year. Check out what they had to say.
EB: So how are you doing?
MG: I'm good. Just training and training. I got a fight coming up.
EB: When did you first start boxing?
MG: I started when I was 16.
EB: What got you to San Diego?
MG: A coach brought me here to go to a boxing training center. The coach was in San Diego, so I just stayed in San Diego
EB: You're from the Philippines. I know people are looking for the next Manny Pacquiao. You're both southpaws. What type of style are you trying to bring to the boxing game?
MG: I think I try to get my style from many good fighters, some you may not have seen very much of. I try to mix it up and not just have one style.
EB: I've seen some clips of you on YouTube. You have some pretty fast hands. Have you ever been in a fight and amazed yourself with the speed you have?
MG: Yeah, sometimes, you know, when I fight, I was like, I wasn't expecting that to happen or the fight to end so early. When I look at the video of the fight, I'm like, "Wow, I was fast." (Laughs)
EB: So you are fighting at lightweight and I know you are trying to move up the ranks. How soon do you see yourself fighting for a world title?
MG: Yeah, I'm fighting lightweight. Hopefully, next year I can fight for a world title. I'm working on that world championship belt and winning it.
EB: Is there any fighter out there right now that you are looking at, especially a champion caliber fighter, and thinking I could take him right now if I had the chance?
MG: Yeah, if they give me a shot. A championship fight, I will be ready for that. I think I'm ready for a championship fight at the beginning of the year.
VP: We've already called out Michael Katsidis a couple of times and Katisidis, we have a lot of respect for their camp. They didn't discount us like we aren't able. They basically said, "At this point, we are too high a risk, with little reward." Which is true, but by no means did they pass it off like a guy just trying to make some money. They know Mercito is for real. We know it's just a matter of time for us to make the name, resolve more issues, and we will get those big guys.
EB: Yeah, I know an up-and-coming fighter like Mercito, for a fighter like Katsidis, at this time, it is too much of a risk.
VP: It's too much. Yeah, we know and that's why we want to fight this guy [Ivan] Valle. I know on paper, it shows he has 9 losses, but at least 4 of those 9 could have gone his way. He has only been stopped twice and those were against top guys, one of them being Humberto Soto, and that fight was back and forth, give and take. So this guy is legit and he is for real. Mercito and I both feel this fight will legitimatize him as a true contender.
EB: Are you guys ranked anywhere?
VP: Mercito is #12 in the WBO right now. Like I said, these things can change over night and that's why we wanted this fight, to show we are not taking easy opponents. Like I said, it shows this guy has 9 losses, but everybody in boxing knows he is very dangerous. You know he has fought some good guys, like Rolando Reyes. He fought Francisco Lorenzo and lost a split decision. With the Rolando Reyes fight, Teddy Atlas scored it 95-95 and they gave Reyes the unanimous decision, so this guy has been the victim of boxing politics. He is as tough as they come out there and we asked for him because Mercito wants to show he is not coming up easy. We will fight the tough guys.
EB: I've heard Mercito's name a few times. I know you want to promote his name so fighters can't say they never heard of him.
VP: Yeah, exactly. He is trying to crossover. He is already very big in the Philippines and he is not trying to be Manny Pacquiao; he is trying to be Mercito Gesta. You know we give so much credit to Pacquiao for helping open up the doors for him, but at the end of the day, it is about putting the butts in the seats and Mercito is a crowd pleaser because he is going for the finish every time. People want to see someone who will give them their money's worth. Mercito's confident and we are confident in his ability, and whoever they get next for us, if it's a top guy for a title shot, it is, if not, then we will just keep plugging away. This fight with Valle, people need to tune in and see this fight because they are going to see something truly special.
EB: Your promoter is Don Chargin, right?
VP: Don Chargin Promotions. This fight is with Don Chargin and Jorge Morale is our matchmaker and this fight is being co-promoted with Golden Boy Promotions. This fight will be October 22nd here in San Diego, broadcast on Telefutura as the main event on Friday night Solo Boxeo.
EB: What other goals do you have, Mercito?
MG: I want to take the title back to the Philippines (laughs). I want to stay at 135 for now, win the title and see what's next in the next weight class.
VP: I think he stays at lightweight and wins the title. If a great opportunity opens up at 140 for a championship and draws a big crowd, then of course, but right now, he is only 23 in a few days.
EB: Yeah, you know fighters bounce up and down for the fights.
VP: Plenty of time.
EB: Well it sounds like Mercito is off to a great start; just got to keep fighting, staying positive, keep being exciting and the money will come.
VP: Oh yeah, the money will come. We're just going to keep going through whoever we have to go through to get who we want. If we have to go through Golden Boy's recycles, like Juan Diaz, David Diaz, or Rocky Juarez, any of those guys they want to throw at us, Mercito is not concerned. Just give us a date and Mercito is confident he can do this.
EB: You brought up a good name with Rocky Juarez. He would be a great test for Mercito next year to see where he stands. Rocky has fought the best and even though he has fallen short, he has always been in the fight.
VP: Oh yeah, that would be great. It all depends on Mercito and October 22.
EB: Yeah, that is a very important fight. Anything else you want to say, Mercito, to your fans?
MG: The fans over here and in the Philippines, you know, thank you very much for supporting me. To the fans in San Diego who have watched me and will be watching my next fight, you know you are going to enjoy this one. I can brawl, I can box and you know, just watch the fight (laughs).
EB: (Laughs) Well, we will be watching. I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me. Happy early birthday Mercito! And thank you Vincent.
MG: Thanks.
VP: Thank you very much.