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Unbeaten Mercito Gesta's future is looking brighter, almost as bright as the fireworks he enjoyed this past 4th of July.
?I went somewhere near my home to watch the fireworks. Back home in the Philippines, we only have them in Christmas and New Year's,? the 21-year-old said. ?We can buy them and light them ourselves in the streets.?
Now Gesta (15-0-1, 6KOs) is hoping to provide his own set of fireworks as he faces Devaris Crayton (6-5-1, 2KOs) of Orlando, FL, in the featured eight round lightweight bout of ?Havoc at the Hard Rock II: No Mercy? on Friday, July 10th presented by Rogue Boxing Promotions and to be staged at the open air Woodstock Terrace of the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown San Diego, CA.
?I am happy to fight in San Diego again,? Gesta says smiling. ?I feel good to fight in front of my friends and hometown fans.?
Since moving to the United States two years ago, Gesta has fought sporadically, lacing up the gloves only twice in '07 and two more times in '08. This Friday will mark the second fight in as many months for the native of Cebu City.
?I am fighting on schedule and there are plans for me to fight more this year,? Gesta states.
Disappoint is but the least that Gesta has done to his hometown fans as in his last bout in May, Gesta needed only forty-four seconds of the first round to stop Tijuana's 2008 Prospect of the Year, Alain ?Konan? Hernandez who was on a six fight winning streak. Gesta stopped him with a display of speed, skill and power.
Since his last fight, Gesta has kept busy with the opportunity to sharpen his skills alongside world-class fighters such as WBA super featherweight champion Jorge Linares.
The southpaw Gesta also had the opportunity to spar with Tijuana's up and coming Marvin Quintero who is preparing for his bout with Tyrone Harris on July 31st.
The fact that both Linares and Quintero compete at the 130 lbs. division reinforced the idea of Gesta moving down to that division.
?I have been thinking of going down and not just because I sparred those fighters. I feel that I can go to 130 lbs., that my body will allow me to so I want to try but not yet.?
Gesta was originally slated to face the experienced Damien Fuller (30-6-1, 14KO) but the Detroit, MI, native had to bow out after a shoulder injury.
Now Gesta will face late sub Devaris Crayton whose record and experience does not match Fuller's or for that matter Gesta's.
?I can't say he will be easy because he has two hands too,? Gesta says eloquently. ?When you look at his record it looks like I should win the fight but I don't know anything about him so I can't see him as easy, I still have to be careful.?
