Gesta to fight American toughie on Aug. 3

CEBU, Philippines - Undefeated Filipino lightweight prospect Mercito ‘No Mercy’ Gesta hopes to bolster his chances of earning a world title shot when he trade fistic bombs with American Ty Barnett in the main event of ESPN2: Friday Night Fights on August 3 at the Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 24-year-old Gesta is expected to face a tough test against Barnett, who is coming off a seventh round stoppage of Robert Daluz last May in Washington, DC.

Gesta, who scored a resounding eighth round TKO of Colombian Oscar Cuero in his previous bout two months ago at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, is in the radar of some big names in boxing including the legendary Mexican punching dynamo Juan Manuel Marquez, who had been very vocal on his desire to take on the Cebuano fighter.

The pride of Labogon, Mandaue City is unscathed in 25 fights, with 13 wins coming by way of knockout, while the 29-year old Barnett parades an equally-impressive 20-2-1 record also packed with 13KOs.

Mercito’s father/trainer Anecito Gesta said this will be another opportunity for his prized son to prove that he is ripe and ready for a world championship match.

“There is a plan to make him a challenger for the IBF title currently held by Miguel Vasquez but for this fight to push through, he must first make sure that he will have an impressive win against this guy (Barnett),” said the elder Gesta. (FREEMAN)