Another Golden Boy on ESPN is in the books. In the main event, two time world title challenger Mercito Gesta took a competitive split decision over Robert Manzanarez in the main event while Manny Robles III won a battle of unbeaten prospects on the undercard.
Mercito Gesta (32-2-2, 17 KOs) and Robert Manzanarez (36-2, 29 KOs) didn’t excite early in the main event. That was to Mercito Gesta’s benefit. Early on his young Mexican opponent seemed a little overwhelmed by the big step up and ESPN spotlight to my eye. He just kept falling in an clinching on the inside without doing any real work despite his big height and reach advantages on the outside. The veteran Filipino took advantage with some nice shots as Manzanarez fell in.
The second half of the fight was a different story. Manzanarez started fighting at range behind his jab and some nice right hands to the body. From there it was a much more competitive fight, one that he was probably edging. Yet having given up the first five or so rounds, it wasn’t enough to secure him the victory. In the end Mercito Gesta took a majority decision with a draw card and two narrow 96-94 cards giving him the win. Robert Manzanarez just took too long to start fighting.
Manny Robles III (16-0, 8 KOs) picked up a career best win in a battle of unbeaten prospects over Edgar Valerio (13-1, 8 KOs) in the co-main event. It was a bit of a strange decision for Golden Boy to match two of their unbeaten fighters, but it turned out well for the fans. Valerio was down once before the finish and Robles was hurt briefly earlier in the fight too. The end came in the ninth after a stiff right hand put Valerio down in the corner. He rose and even landed a nice left hook, but a follow up flurry got Robles the win moments later. This was a big win for 24 year old and a good fight to watch.
