Mercito Gesta spars with two former world champs

Undefeated Filipino southpaw Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta has sparred with two former world champions as he stepped up his training for his Sept. 17 date with American Manuel Perez at the BlueWater Resort and Casino in Parker, Arizona.

Gesta, 22-0-1 with 12 KOs, sparred four rounds with Paul Malignaggi (WBO/IBF light welterweight) and went six rounds against Jorge Linares (WBC featherweight/WBO super featherweight) at the Wild Card Gym recently.

At the San Diego Padres’ celebration of Filipino Appreciation Day, Gesta was a hit when he threw a strike with his ceremonial pitch and received what his manager and assistant trainer Vince Parra said was “a great reception.”

Turning to the fight against Perez (16-6-1, 4 KOs)Parra said Gesta’s training has been great and they are “wrapping things up after sparring last Friday with Malignaggi and a tough undefeated Russian light welterweight.”