Weigh-ins/predictions for Gesta vs Riovalle fight card at Del Mar

The much anticipated return of Mercito Gesta (r) to the ring will happen Friday, April 11 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA, an 8 round Super Lightweight match against Edgar Riovalle. All photos: Jim Wyatt

On Thursday afternoon, the weigh-ins for Friday night’s Boxing Show on the Del Mar Fairgrounds were completed at the Bonita Mall in National City. With a more than decent crowd on hand for this media event, the wise guy of boxing just had to open his mouth and make some pre-fight prognostications.

In the Main Event will be 26 year-old southpaw Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (26-1-1, 14 KOs) of San Diego, CA (139.5 pounds) making his comeback after a 16 month layoff versus 27 year-old, righty Edgar “Basuras” Riovalle (37-17-2, 26 KOs) of Iztacalco D. F., Mexico City, Mexico (136 pounds) in an eight round super lightweight division thriller. 

The comparisons: Iztacalco, located in the center-east of the 14+ million populated Mexico City, is the smallest of the city’s 16 boroughs, while Cebu City is the second most populous Metropolitan area in the Philippines after Manila. Since both fighters have a ton of experience in the hurting game, this fight promises to be a thriller.  

Overlooking Riovalle’s edge as a pure boxer plus his amazing knockout record, this odds makers has installed Gesta, who is coming off that ill-fated unanimous decision loss to Miguel Vazquez for the IBF Lightweight title, as a 2:25 to 1 favorite.“This is a new beginning, a new team, and a new Mercito Gesta,” so says Golden Boy Promotions matchmaker Robert Diaz. “A loss does not end a career, in fact that is where fighters become champions! If he can put together a few good victories, he’ll be right back in the mix to challenge any of the current lightweight world champions.”

(bottom photo) On the undercard, Bout #5, they have Prince “Tiger” Smalls (l) going up against the shorter Michael Haigood (r).

On the undercard in Bout #5, we have Prince Tiger Smalls (3-0-1, 0 KOs) of the San Diego Combat Academy, San Diego, CA facing 29 year-old Michael Haigood, (0-2-0) of La Mesa, CA in a four round featherweight bout. 

You would have to say, Smalls is a prohibitive favorite. We should see the younger, more accomplished, more athletic Smalls finally get his first stoppage.

(bottom, right) Bout #4 features Manuel Ceballos (r) of Yucatan, Merida, Mexico facing Jamel Reynolds (l) of Los Angeles, CA.

Bout #4 features Manuel “Venado” Ceballos (1-0-0, 1 KO) of Yucatan, Merida, Mexico 174 lbs. vs. Jamel “9MM” Reynolds (0-3-0) of Los Angeles, CA, 176 lbs., in a four round light heavyweight match. Barring the use of a 9MM pistol, you can be certain Ceballos will win this one. Odds have this one at 9.50 to one. 

(top, left) In Bout #3, it will be Roque Ramos of Vista, CA (r) facing Luis Silva-Ventura (l) of Tijuana, B. C., Mexico.

Rocky Ramos (l) is joined by trainer Kalina Fernandez and manager Jack Ballo.

Bout #3 features Roque “Rocky” Ramos (3-0-1, 1 KO) of Vista, CA, 128.5 lbs., going up against Luis “Paletero” Silva-Ventura (0-3-0) of Tijuana, 130 lbs., in a four round match. This is another walkover, 10-1 mismatch.

Like the Main Event, the Jorge “Tito” Ruiz (r) bout with Oscar Venegas (l) of Maywood, CA should be a dandy.

Bout #2 features Jorge “Tito” Ruiz (5-1-0, 2 KOs) of the Alliance Training Center, Chula Vista, CA, 126 lbs. going up against Oscar “Pescador”Venegas (3-3-0, 2 KOs) 126 lbs. from the Huerta run Maywood Boxing Gym, in Maywood, CA in a four round featherweight match. 

Both boxers have a lot of Amateur experience plus they have benefitted big time from above average coaching. To quote Sergio Melendrez, the head boxing coach at Alliance, “We have a good record against the Huerta group, we always beat them.” 

The downside if you’re thinking about betting on Venegas, he took this fight on just three days notice while Ruiz has been training seriously for well over a month. The house favors Ruiz but only by the slimmest of margins, 1:20 to 100.

(bottom, left) Bout #1 features Ricky Hood (r) going up against Mercito Gesta’s younger brother, Anecito “DonDon” Gesta (l).

As the song goes, “It’s a family affair.” Accompanying Riccy Hood to the weigh-ins on Thursday were his partner in life Veda, her mom, son Davion and Super Rajon.

Bout #1 features Anecito “DonDon” Gesta (2-2-0) of San Diego by way of Cebu, Philippines weighing 130.5 lbs. going up against Riccy Hood (132 lbs.) of the San Diego Combat Academy who is making his Pro Debut in a four round lightweight match. 

Despite his lack of professional experience, by showtime, the much taller Hood will have a decided advantage not only in height and weight but in the all important categories of reach and power. This one could get ugly early as the busier Hood will likely go for an early stoppage. Hood in an upset, 1 to get you 2.25.

The show is being presented by: Paco Presents, A&T GYM, Don Chargin and Barron Entertainment. 

The matchmaker is Jorge Marron of Lakeside, CA.

The ring announcer will be Benny Ricardo.

Filipino National Anthem will be sung by Patricia Javier.

The Mexican National Anthem by Gerardo Gaytan.

All bouts supervised by the California State Athletic Commission.

Tickets for “Ringside at Del Mar” are priced at $25 (General Admission), $55 (Ringside),$75 (Table Seats), and $100 (Apron seats). Tickets can be purchased online via Ticketmaster, at www.ringsideadelmar.com, by phone at (858) 755-1161, or in person at the Del Mar Fairgrounds ticket office. “Ringside at Del Mar” is sponsored in part by 7UP, IHOP, Joel Diaz Training Camp, El Latino Newspaper, 2014 Fab Fair, Rincon del Mar Restaurant, Virtual Tax Solutions, Cotixan Mexican Food, Mi Familia Market, Chaotic-Labz, and MyAttorney911.   

The Del Mar Fairgrounds is located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the first of seven bouts scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.