US-BASED Cebuano boxer Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta returns to action today, as he faces Martin “El Brochas” Honorio of Mexico in a 10-round, non-title bout in the undercard of the HBO After Dark at the Forum in Inglewood, California, USA.
This will be the second fight Gesta will have after a two-year layoff. His comeback fight was against Gilberto Gonzales last April in Las Vegas, where he won by unanimous decision.
The 29-year-old ex-IBF world lightweight challenger, a native of San Remigio town, north Cebu, has 30 wins, 16 by knockouts, a single defeat and two draws.
His opponent, Honorio, fought for a world title twice, but faltered on both tries.
The 36-year-old Mexican holds a record of 33W-10L-1D, 16Kos.
Mercito’s father and trainer, Anecito said the team’s game plan coming into the fight is to attack and use footwork against the Mexican.
“I told Mercito not to wait to get hit. He must be the one to initiate the action. We will wait for the perfect time to throw power punches to knock his opponent out,” Anecito said.
Gesta weighed in at 134.2 pounds while Honorio tipped the scales at 134.6 pounds during yesterday’s official weigh-in held at the venue.
Gesta trained at the famed Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California in preparation for this fight.
The main event will feature Mexican Miguel Berchelt facing Takashi Miura for the WBC super featherweight title. The fight card is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Zanfer Promotions and Teiken Promotions. /REPORTER GLENDALE G. ROSAL