Undefeated Filipino sensation Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (21-0-1, 11KOs) has signed a multi-year contract with premier boxing promoter Bob Arum and his company Top Rank Promotions. Gesta, who is ranked by the WBO at #2, has not fought since late February but now is tentatively slated for July 9th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, on the undercard of the Brandon Rios versus Urbano Antillon WBA lightweight title bout.
“I am happy to sign with Top Rank Promotions, I know I made the right decisions and I am sure that Mr. Arum will help me get to the next level in my career,” Gesta said seconds after signing the contract. “I am already training for my next fight and I want to give a good showing in my first fight under the Top Rank banner.”
After the contract with his original promoter Don Chargin ran out in April, Gesta and his team briefly spoke to Golden Boy Promotions before settling with Top Rank after meeting with Arum last week in Los Angeles.
“I think it’s a great fit with Top Rank, Mr. Arum knows how to make stars and I think Gesta has all the tools and gifts to be one,” Vince Parra, Gesta trainer and co-manager, said. “We are looking to come back in July against a tough fighter and then look for a title opportunity by the end of the year.”
Gesta has began his camp for his next bout versus TBA at the Alliance Gym in Chula Vista, CA, and will finish it off at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, CA.
GUERRERO RECOGNIZED FOR HIS COMMUNITY EFFORTS BY THE SANTA CLARA BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Silicon Valley, Calif. – May 25, 2011 – Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors presented Five-Time World Champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero with a Proclamation on May 24, 2011 in recognition of his commitment to giving back to the community by raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and being a positive youth role model
Wasserman commented, “Today, we recognize boxing champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero for serving as a role model for youth and giving back to the community. Robert is an inspiration to us all and I thank him for coming to receive this Proclamation from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.”
“First thing I want to do is thank God because all this would not be possible without him,” said Guerrero. “Being a professional athlete, I believe it’s my obligation to give back to the community and that’s what I’m going to continue to do. I love boxing and it’s my passion, but the most important thing is family and that’s why I stepped away to be by my wife when she was ill. I’m going to bring as much awareness to the bone marrow registry. People say its tough being a boxer, but its nothing compared to what a cancer patient has to go through. I want to thank everyone…it truly is an honor to be getting this award.”
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer commended Guerrero stating, “Robert Guerrero exemplifies the true meaning of a professional athlete. He is an inspiration to people of all ages not only for his accomplishments in the ring, but also outside the ring with his commitment to community outreach. On behalf of Golden Boy Promotions we want to congratulate Robert and applaud him for giving back to his community and receiving this honor from Santa Clara County.”
Vazquez-Marquez II & Ponce De Leon-Lock classics on Friday night
LOS ANGELES, May 25 – The Classics are back on “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” this Friday, May 27, as Golden Boy Promotions has teamed up with TeleFutura to kick off the 2011 Memorial Day weekend with two memorable battles Golden Boy’s boxing archives.
On this edition of the “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” Classics broadcast, TeleFutura will air the second of the four unforgettable battles between Israel “Magnifico” Vazquez and Rafael Marquez, as they did battle for the WBC Super Bantamweight World title on August 4, 2007.
Also featured will be southpaw power-puncher and former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon’s memorable May 1, 2010 fight against talented spoiler Cornelius Lock.
The special presentation of “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and AT&T and will air on TeleFutura at 11:30pm ET / PT (10:30pm CT).
Participants in one of boxing’s all-time greatest series, Vazquez and Marquez had already met once, in March of 2007, with Marquez halting Vazquez in seven rounds. Eager for payback, Vazquez evened the score on August 4, 2007, when he won a stirring sixth round technical knockout over his countryman in a bout voted 2007 “Fight of the Year” by Ring Magazine. With the series even, the two would split their final two fights as well as they etched their names in boxing’s history books.
The other featured fight on the broadcast will show popular knockout artist and former Junior Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon, who was then on a four-fight winning streak in his new division at 126 pounds, when he squared off against upset-minded Cornelius Lock on May 1, 2010. Lock was coming off of a knockout win over previously unbeaten Orlando Cruz and looking for lightning to strike twice, but it was De Leon’s night in Las Vegas, as he showed off new dimensions of his game and won a close decision.
Tecate, cerveza con carácter, is the largest beer brand to sponsor boxing matches in the U.S. Part of its commitment to make boxing accessible to consumers is the title sponsorship of “Sólo Boxeo Tecate,” which creates an opportunity for local fans to witness some of the most exhilarating fights by today’s up-and-coming prospects. Additionally, Tecate has been a primary supporter of Golden Boy Promotions’ marquee events since 2007, and has launched a variety of initiatives to ensure consumers are part of the boxing experience, including boxer autograph signing sessions, commemorative cans, PPV mail-in rebate offers, and most recently the launch of a mobile museum “Tecate Museo de Boxeo,” which showcases decades of the most memorable moments in the sport.