Mercito Gesta

Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta is a Filipino professional boxer known for his southpaw stance. He was born on October 12, 1987, in Labogon, Mandaue, Philippines. Gesta's early exposure to combat sports stemmed from his father, Anecito, a former Muay Thai and MMA fighter in the Philippines. Recognizing his son's potential, Anecito transitioned Mercito to boxing at the age of 15. Gesta trained in a small gym in Liloan, Cebu, under the guidance of Carl Penalosa, where he honed his skills and quickly progressed in the sport. Remarkably, Gesta had no amateur boxing experience before turning professional. He trained alongside experienced professionals in Cebu, and after several sparring sessions, his coaches decided that he should debut professionally rather than pursue an amateur career.

Gesta's professional career has spanned over two decades. He challenged for the IBF lightweight title in 2012 and the WBA lightweight title in 2018. At the regional level, he held the WBO-NABO lightweight title in 2018. Throughout his career, Gesta has faced notable opponents, including Miguel Vázquez, Joseph Diaz Jr., and William Zepeda. In his fight against Diaz on March 18, 2023, Gesta secured a split decision victory. However, he suffered a sixth-round technical knockout loss to Zepeda on September 16, 2023.

Outside the ring, Gesta trains under the renowned coach Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Los Angeles. He is also managed by his father, Anecito, and resides in San Diego, California. Gesta's journey from a young prodigy in Cebu to a seasoned professional boxer in the United States exemplifies the American dream.

In his match against Jorge Linares, Gesta began cautiously, utilizing jabs and feints to measure timing before shifting strategies mid-fight. He adapted by fainting low and landing looping shots upstairs, forcing Linares to abandon his comfort zone. Gesta’s ability to adjust in real time is key to his success against slick or rangy opponents. His multi-level combinations dropped Diaz twice in the first round.

Anecito’s Muay Thai influence gave Mercito an understanding of how to generate rotational power, synchronizing his hips, shoulders, and feet. Watching Manny Pacquiao's rise further reinforced these lessons. Like Pacquiao, Gesta’s speed is purposeful; he uses flurries effectively.

His legs do more than just move him - they also power his strikes. Similar to Muay Thai strikers, he relies on subtle shifts of weight and well-timed pivots to transfer force, especially when throwing his rear hand. His movement allows him to reset quickly and evade incoming punches. Against Roberto Manzanarez, Gesta's controlled footwork enabled him to navigate longer reach and get underneath punches.

He often initiates his attacks with a jab—not always as a power shot, but as a means to occupy the opponent's guard. He then slips inside with a straight left and finishes with a right hook. His favorite combinations reflect the rotational logic of Muay Thai: a left to the body, a right hook upstairs, a pivot, followed by a left uppercut—forcing opponents to defend both sides of their bodies while never allowing their feet to settle. In his 2022 bout against Joel Diaz Jr., Gesta’s multi-level combinations dropped Diaz twice in the first round. Each flurry was built on tight rotation and the effective use of his legs to generate power while remaining in position to reset or escape.