Super lightweight contenders Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (28-1 16 KO’s) and Carlos Molina (17-2 7 KO’s) will headline the Fox Sports 1 card on April 30th. Molina, coming off of two losses, will be trying desperately to prove that he’s anything more than a gatekeeper. Gesta, however, will be looking to capitalize on an opportunity to insert himself into the title picture at super lightweight. He will be looking for his third straight win after the only loss of his career came in a lightweight title fight against former champion Miguel Vasquez.
Gesta and Molina spoke to the media ahead of their showdown, both stressing the importance of the fight and their belief that they will come out victorious. “I am focused. I plan to listen to my trainers in the ring. That is the best way to get the win on April 30” said Gesta when asked about his preparation and plan heading into the 10 round bout.
Gesta stressed the fact that he had a full eight-week camp to prepare for the fight and believes that he will be able to defeat Molina and secure another title shot. “I feel very confident…After Carlos, I hope to get a title fight. It depends on what happens on April 30 and what my promoter thinks is the best step for me”.
Molina admitted that while Gesta is a talented, tough opponent, he also feels that he has prepared to the level necessary and will apply pressure in a way that Gesta hasn’t faced in order to come away with the victory.
“Gesta is a fast fighter, a southpaw, but once I let my hands fly he will feel that non-stop pressure, I will overwhelm him.”
Molina is aware that this very well could be his last shot at staying at the sport’s highest level, and that a third loss in a row could mean a greatly diminished status in the sport. He spoke of needing to be himself in the ring, embracing the qualities that helped him get to this level.
“We always work on strength, but I need to be myself in the ring. I am someone who is elusive in the ring, a boxer-puncher. I need to go in and have fun; all my training sessions have been like that.”
Whether or not he has fun in the ring on April 30th will depend on how well he can execute his game plan.
In a fight like this one, where a victory is vitally important to both fighters albeit for different reasons, it is often a disparity in either will or skill that determines the winner. Gesta knows that a win can propel him to another title shot and spot at or near the top of the division. Molina, on the other hand, is looking to hold on to his spot. He’ll be fighting to remain relevant in the division. Whose desire will win out? We’ll find out in the ring on April 30th.
