Mercito Gesta is still here and looking to prove it against Joel Diaz Jr.

Mercito Gesta hopes to keep his dream of being a champion alive when he fights Joel Diaz Jr. on Thursday, April 21, on Golden Boy’s DAZN card. 

Manny Pacquiao is a folk hero in the Philippines. He rose out of poverty to become a world boxing champion, senator and presidential candidate. Early in his career, Mercito Gesta drew comparisons to the great Pacquiao.

But three losses largely erased those comparisons, proving how cold this boxing game is.

Gesta (32-3-3, 17 KOs) only has three losses on his record, but many have counted the past championship contender out.

Ironically, Pacquiao has eight losses on his record and is considered one of the best boxers in history. However, he won world titles across eight divisions and beat boxing Hall-of-Famers.

Gesta never equaled those accomplishments, but who has?

Like Pacquiao, Gesta is also a southpaw boxer from the Philippines. When he was winning, that’s all anybody saw–another great Filipino hope.

Gesta was a prodigy of sorts growing up in Cebu, Philippines. He didn’t start training until he was 15, even though his father was a former Muy Thai kickboxer.

With a year’s worth of training, Gesta proved that he was ready for the pros despite never competing as an amateur.

“I do not have any amateur boxing fight,” Gesta revealed to FanSided. “But when I went to a gym to this boxing stable in Cebu, I’ve been training with professionals. There’s no amateur in that gym. And when the coach found out that, you know, I don’t have any amateur fight, they were thinking that they might set me up in an amateur fight, but one fight got canceled, and one of the coach seeing that I’ve been sparring with the professionals, and saying, ‘You know what? You’d be sparring with a professional. Why go to amateur? Just go to Pro.”

Watch Mercito Gesta vs. Joel Diaz Jr. on Thursday, April 21, on DAZN at 9 p.m. ET

Gesta took that advice, but he was only 16 years old. He needed his parents to sign off to allow him to compete professionally as a teenager against grown men.

Gesta had no fear of stepping into the ring against adults. He was used to it since he sparred men at the gym every day.

His pro career started strong. Gesta amassed a 26-0-1 record with 14 KOs during the first nine years.

Then in 2012, Gesta took a decision loss against Miguel Vazquez. He worked his way back up the ladder and landed a title shot against Jorge Linares in 2018, which he lost by decision.

The Linares loss started a string of frustrations for Gesta, who has gone 1-1-1 in his last three fights. Now, at 34 years old, his April 21 bout against Joel Diaz Jr. could be his last chance to regain footing as a title contender.

There’s nothing to be ashamed about in losing to a champion like Linares, but Gesta cringes at the memory of fighting Carlos Morales to a draw in his last contest in 2019. Gesta feels like weight and other health issues contributed to his subpar performance.

“I have to take a break and then come to realize that, hey, I love the sport,” Gesta said. “Things happen. Continue because my body is looking for it. My body feels like, you know, I can still move. I don’t have a knee problem. And then after the Morales fight just got my elbow surgery.”

With 29 months out of the ring, Gesta retooled by taking care of physical ailments that have hindered him.

Despite his string of inconsistencies, Gesta speaks with confidence and thoughtfulness. There’s a relief in his voice as if he’s done weathering a tumultuous storm.

Gesta also speaks about boxing with a passion. He seems to genuinely miss competing in the ring, but there’s also an urgency about him. Maybe the stress of passing time is aiding his focus.

Also, Gesta and his wife eagerly anticipate their son’s birth.

“I just keep myself busy and motivate,” Gesta said. “Especially that my wife is pregnant right now. It definitely motivates me having this first boy. We’re having a boy.”

Gesta added, “It’s a different feeling, and it motivates me to not just because of me. I think about I have a son, and I need to provide, and it’s just a great feeling. It feels like it makes me, you know, get me energetic and get more stronger.”

Gesta isn’t worried about living up to past excessive expectations. He’s boxing because he enjoys it and for his growing family.

“I’m still here,” Gesta said. “You know, there’s a saying once a fighter, you’re always going be a fighter. So I’m here.”