Weights from LA: Jorge Linares 135Lbs – Mercito Gesta 134.8 Lbs. WBA Lightweight Championship #LinaresGesta pic.twitter.com/IzFZ6pDaiw
— WBA Boxing (@WBABoxing) January 26, 2018
Mercito Gesta doesn’t let his stature in the lightweight division deter his unwavering confidence ahead of his title fight against WBA, The Ring World lightweight champion Jorge Linares.
Despite being the no. 26 boxer in the division as per BoxRec and no. 15 in WBA’s ratings, the 30-year-old challenger is confident he will soon wear the black-and-gold belt.
“This is my second opportunity for a World title and I have nothing to lose, I am going to become the new World champion,” said Gesta as per WBA’s official Twitter account.
.@JorgeLinares : “I am in a great moment and I do not want anyone to take it from me”.@TheRealMGesta : “This is my second opportunity for a world title and I have nothing to lose, I am going to become the new world champion”.#LinaresGesta pic.twitter.com/koYTQBbcWy
— WBA Boxing (@WBABoxing) January 26, 2018
Gesta (31-1-2) clocked in at 134.8 lbs while champion Linares was at 135 lbs, the limit for the lightweight division.
This fight marks Gesta’s first title fight since 2012 when he lost to Miguel Vazquez for the IBF belt.
And if Gesta is new to the World title scene, Linares is the polar opposite.
Linares (43-3) will go to his seventh straight World title fight and 13th overall.
And in the 12 title fights the 32-year-old Venezuelan featured in, he tacked a record of 12-2.
“I am in a great moment and I do not want anyone to take it from me,” said Linares.
