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Article URL Credit: http://www.spin.ph/boxing/news/mercito-gesta-heralds-comeback-with-eighth-round-stoppage-of-veteran-mexican-foe
Author: Gerry Ramos
Photo Credit: Jhay Otamias
MERCITO Gesta continued to make an impressive ring comeback on Sunday (Manila time) after scoring an eighth-round stoppage of veteran Martin Honorio of Mexico at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
The former world title challenger dominated Honorio right from the opening bell and was actually pummeling his hapless opponent in the fateful round when the referee decided the 37-year-old Mexican had enough.
Gesta, the Mandaue City native now based in San Diego, California, is now 31-1-2 with 17 KOs as he fought for the second time this year after fully recovering from surgery last year.
His only career loss came against Miguel Vazquez for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight title in the undercard of the fourth and final meeting between legendary ring rivals Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez in December of 2012.
“It feels great to be back. I am almost 100 percent to where I want to be after my surgery,” he said after the fight.
It helps too, that Gesta, nicknamed ‘No Mercy,’ is now being handled by renowned trainer Freddie Roach.
“With all the rehabilitation and training under Freddie Roach, I am on track to fight for a title very soon,” added the Filipino. “Right now, I just want to keep improving, and keep focused.”
Now in the twilight of his career, Honorio lost for the fifth time in his last six outings, bringing his career record to 33-11-1 with 16 KOs.
Like Gesta, the veteran Mexican also once vied for a world title, losing by technical knockout to Robert Guerrero for the IBF featherweight title 10 years ago.
Honorio also fought in the country in 2011, winning by split decision over Surasak Makordae of Thailand as part of the undercard of the Brian Viloria-Giovani Segura World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight title match at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The fight served as one of the undercards in the Miguel Berchelt-Takashi Miura World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight title.
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