Team Gesta Hoping Miguel Vazquez Will Fight, Not Run

By Dennis "dSource" Guillermo

Unbeaten Filipino rising star Mercito "No Mercy" Gesta (26-0-1, 14 KOs) is gearing up for his long-coveted world title fight on December 8 in the undercard of Pacquiao-Marquez 4 against tough and rugged Mexican Miguel Vazquez (32-3-0, 13 KOs) who is staking his IBF lightweight title.

The Cebuano is currently up in the mountains of Big Bear, California for some high-altitude training and sparring, in respect of the difficult task at hand.

"I think he's more difficult than other guys I fought," Gesta told me in an exclusive interview in recognition of the challenge Vazquez presents. "He knows how to use his height. He knows how to back up. He's not engaging. That's kinda' hard. It's hard to fight a guy that doesn't want to fight; just hit and run, hit and run," he added.

But Vincent Parra of Team Gesta isn't the least bit concerned of Vazquez's running tactics. "We're ready for him to run. We're going to find him. We will corner him, and we will make him fight," said Parra, who is Gesta's co-trainer and co-manager. "If he doesn't want to fight, we will make him fight," he further stressed out.

Parra issued a challenge to the Vazquez camp to do their part in ensuring that their bout will be worthy of being shown on HBO, and reminded them that the only reason they are on the card is because of his ward.

"If it weren't for us, he wouldn't be on HBO again after the way he fought Marvin Quintero, straight up! He would not be getting this fight if not for Mercito Gesta," said Parra, and added, "if he thinks he's going to run again the way he did against Marvin Quintero and HBO's going to want him again, he's crazy!"

Asked if he is concerned about the potential crowd disadvantage on fight night when Mexican fans pack the MGM Grand, Parra insisted that he doesn't know too many Mexicans who are fans of Vazquez's style.

"I think Mexicans like Mercito's style because he comes to fight. I honestly think that the fans will be on our side on that night," said Parra.

He also believes that they will win over fans with Gesta's aggressive fighting style, on top of the fact that they have built a solid Mexican fan base from appearing on several Mexican boxing shows.