Written by : JUN MEDINA SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
World Boxing Organization interim junior welterweight champ Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez favors unbeaten Filipino title contender Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta for his next big money fight planned for July 14.
Marquez, who has a win-loss-draw record of 54-6-1 (39 by knockouts), said he has narrowed his choice to Gesta or fellow Mexican Erik Morales, the last fighter to beat Manny Pacquiao.
Marquez said he hopes to fight Pacquiao in the later part of the year, assuming they both win in their coming fights. Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight crown against unbeaten junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley on June 9.
Marquez is targeting a fall showdown with Manny Pacquiao, should he beat Timothy Bradley on June 9th. Marquez wants a southpaw opponent to prepare himself for a potential fourth Pacquaio clash.
Marquez said he wanted a left-handed opponent before taking on Pacquiao and thinks Gesta (25-0-1, 13 by KOs) fits the bill.
“I do not see a reason to fight with a right-handed boxer instead of facing an opponent who has the same guard of Pacquiao,” Marquez told Cesar Ledezma of BoxingScene.com.
Marquez has already started working on his strength training to be followed by a regimen emphasizing speed.
For his part, Gesta said he has kept in shape and is scheduled to start training camp in the mountains of Big Bear in Southern California, a favorite haven for champions like Shane Mosley, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Marquez.
Gesta, who is coming off an eighth round stoppage of Colombian Oscar Cuero on April 14, said he wants the benefits of high altitude training in preparation for the coming big fight booked at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum, who promotes both Marquez and Gesta, said the hard-hitting Filipino boxer is ready for a title shot and a match-up with Marquez is under consideration.
“Yes, Gesta is definitely fighting on July 14,” Arum said by phone Friday. “Whether it’s Marquez or someone else, it’s going to be Mercito’s biggest fight.”
Gesta said he still has no confirmation who his next opponent will be, but he declared that he is ready to face Marquez, the only fighter who gave Pacquiao problems in the ring.
“I’m kind of excited. I know it’s not confirmed but I hope [Marquez] would choose me...I’m going to train like I’m fighting for a big fight. If he chooses me, that’s perfect because I’m always training for a title fight. I’m always ready,” Gesta said.
World Boxing Organization interim junior welterweight champ Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez favors unbeaten Filipino title contender Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta for his next big money fight planned for July 14.
Marquez, who has a win-loss-draw record of 54-6-1 (39 by knockouts), said he has narrowed his choice to Gesta or fellow Mexican Erik Morales, the last fighter to beat Manny Pacquiao.
Marquez said he hopes to fight Pacquiao in the later part of the year, assuming they both win in their coming fights. Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight crown against unbeaten junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley on June 9.
Marquez is targeting a fall showdown with Manny Pacquiao, should he beat Timothy Bradley on June 9th. Marquez wants a southpaw opponent to prepare himself for a potential fourth Pacquaio clash.
Marquez said he wanted a left-handed opponent before taking on Pacquiao and thinks Gesta (25-0-1, 13 by KOs) fits the bill.
“I do not see a reason to fight with a right-handed boxer instead of facing an opponent who has the same guard of Pacquiao,” Marquez told Cesar Ledezma of BoxingScene.com.
Marquez has already started working on his strength training to be followed by a regimen emphasizing speed.
For his part, Gesta said he has kept in shape and is scheduled to start training camp in the mountains of Big Bear in Southern California, a favorite haven for champions like Shane Mosley, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Marquez.
Gesta, who is coming off an eighth round stoppage of Colombian Oscar Cuero on April 14, said he wants the benefits of high altitude training in preparation for the coming big fight booked at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum, who promotes both Marquez and Gesta, said the hard-hitting Filipino boxer is ready for a title shot and a match-up with Marquez is under consideration.
“Yes, Gesta is definitely fighting on July 14,” Arum said by phone Friday. “Whether it’s Marquez or someone else, it’s going to be Mercito’s biggest fight.”
Gesta said he still has no confirmation who his next opponent will be, but he declared that he is ready to face Marquez, the only fighter who gave Pacquiao problems in the ring.
“I’m kind of excited. I know it’s not confirmed but I hope [Marquez] would choose me...I’m going to train like I’m fighting for a big fight. If he chooses me, that’s perfect because I’m always training for a title fight. I’m always ready,” Gesta said.
