MANILA, Philippines – Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions inked Filipino fighter Mercito Gesta into an exclusive promotional contract along with 11 other boxers.
The 27-year-old Gesta (28-1-1, 16 knockouts), who was born in Mandaue City, Cebu but is currently residing in San Diego, California, was released by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions in 2013 after suffering multiple injuries in training that led to the cancellation of his scheduled bouts.
Under the Top Rank banner, Gesta was able to vie for a world title on the undercard of Pacquiao-Marquez IV in December 2012 when he challenged Miguel Vazquez for the International Boxing Federation lightweight championship.
However, Gesta failed to bring home the belt as he bowed to Vazquez in a lopsided contest via unanimous decision.
After sitting on the sidelines for nearly two years since his disappointing defeat to Vazquez, Gesta made his in-return in April 2014 by thwarting Mexican slugger Edgar Riovalle in the eighth round.
In the same year, the 5-foot-7 Pinoy southpaw doubled the feat by scoring a 7th-round stoppage victory over Luis Arceo at July’s “Golden Boy Live!” event in San Francisco, California.
Aside from Gesta’s signing, 11 new pugilists have also been added to the Golden Boy roster, including Japanese welterweight Yoshihiro Kamegai, two-time Olympian Everton Lopes and Mexican knockout artist Gilberto Gonzalez.
“I’m excited to kick off 2015 with the addition of these talented fighters to the Golden Boy roster. Each of these fighters have the talent, skill, determination and desire that it takes to make it to the top,” De La Hoya stated on a press statement. – Rappler.com
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