Gesta loses in world title bid

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Mercito Gesta failed in his crack at a world title, losing to seasoned veteran Miguel Vazquez in a lopsided fight in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas today.

Vazquez, a boxer from Guadalajara, Mexico, employed great movement and capitalized on his reach advantage to frustrate Gesta, who struggled to land a significant blow throughout the fight.

The scores were 117-111, 119-109 and 118-110 all for Vazquez, who retained his IBF lightweight title.

It was an uneventful fight as the champion kept circling around the challenger while throwing occasional combinations to keep the latter at bay.

Gesta, a Mandaue City native fighting out of San Diego, CA, thus suffered the first setback of his career after winning 26 fights (14 KOs)

Vazquez improved to 32-3, with 13 KOs.