Familiar foe standing in Gesta's way to world title

SANTA MONICA, California – The countdown is officially on as Mercito Gesta and Lucas Matthysse faced the press for the formal announcement of Golden Boy's January 27 double main event at the Los Angeles Forum.

Gesta will get a shot against lightweight champion Jorge Linares, who is putting his WBA, WBC Diamond, and RING Magazine world titles on the line. Meanwhile, Argentinian Matthysse is aiming for the vacant world title against Thailand's Tewa Kiram.

The card will be televised on HBO's Boxing After Dark.

"I feel like this is it," said the Cebu-born Gesta. "This is the biggest fight. Everyone knows Jorge Linares, how he fights, his boxing skill. He has three belts."

"Gusto ko 'yung challenge na ganito. I feel like kung mas magaling ang kalaban ko, mas mailalabas ko ang ability ko doon sa ring," he added.

Author: Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN News
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