Gesta gets stopped!

Last night in the US fight fan got a bit of a betting upset a former 2-time world title challenger Mercito Gesta (32-3-2, 17) was stopped by the determined and hungry Juan Antonio Rodriguez (30-7, 26) in 9 rounds.

Gesta, once touted as a big hope for the Philippines, put up a good effort at times and actually the better man, seemingly winning the first couple of rounds. Despite that he always seemed to eating the more meaningful shots from Rodriguez who seemed to have found a real desire to make a point. The relentlessness of Rodriguez began to show mid way through round 2 and through the following few rounds he began to really grind down the Filipino.

Gesta know he was in a real fight after 4 rounds, and dug in hard ton have a good round 5, but he put a lot in and failed to discourage the Mexican who seemed to come on even stronger in the second half. It was there that we saw him ground down and beat up Gesta, particularly in round 9, where the poor Filipino fighter was rocked from pillar to post, staying up right but taking a battering until the referee stepped in to save him.

Whilst the loss was disappointing there was more to it. Gesta has failed to make the original 135lb weight for the bout, requesting a change to a 138lb limit, he had looked disappointing and there are now real question mark about his future. He really has to question whether or not he wants he wants to even continue in this sport after his faltering preparation, and poor performance. Rodriguez was fantastic, and credit to him for his showing and taking advantage of the situation, but this was poor from Gesta.