Mercito Moya Gesta vs. Juan Antonio Rodríguez Mozo & Ferdinand Kerobyan vs. Blair Romero Cobbs RBR

Fischer has it 48-47 Gesta.

 

Dougie surmises this sluggish effort from Gesta might stem from troubles making the weight limit (this was originally scheduled to be a lightweight contest; he missed it by three pounds)

 

Round 6

Gesta rushes out and shoeshines and far-reaching slaps, but doesn't get through as Rodríguez covers up and creeps backward against the ropes. Rodríguez is now pushing in, glomming onto Gesta at every turn, karate-chopping down into his kidneys and flanks. Right jabs scoring unabated for Rodríguez. Gesta just a moment too late with all his movements - reactive flinches, counter punches, footsteps... Gesta breathing heavily through his mouth. The most effective thing he's able to do is grab hold of Rodríguez and stall in the clinch. Otherwise this has become a swarming clinic by Rodríguez, not very pretty to watch but he's clambering all over Gesta with both fists.

10-9 Rodríguez

57-57

 

Round 7

Rodríguez is lobbing big lefts off the hip after making Gesta swizzle-stick his neck lazily to avoid the right jab. Gesta throwing weak right hooks up top, and then squatting and doing some higher quality work downstairs. Rodríguez is working off the jab, backing Gesta up with left uppercuts and chopping rights inside. Gesta is leaning backward to slip jabs and pokes outward with his own, very tentative.

10-9 Rodríguez, close

67-66 Rodríguez

 

This is the worst I have ever seen Mercito look, and he always has been a hot & cold fighter IMO.

 

Round 8

Rodríguez is body-feinting with a step forward as if about to fire the right jab up top but instead brings a wrecking ball left into Gesta's ribs. This works repeatedly. Gesta making no adjustment. Lots of clinching by Gesta. Rodríguez scoring jabs and lunging in with left hands up top, chasing Gesta. Some very soft right jabs by Gesta, looking thoroughly fatigued. Rodríguez is jabbing in and missing as Gesta ducks, and now suddenly comes alive with a few of his own jabs, before falling against Rodríguez in a clinch.

10-9 Rodríguez

77-75 Rodríguez

 

Gesta just wants this over already. You got six minutes left, son! Listen to Freddie!

 

Round 9

Rodríguez is backing Gesta up, pressuring behind the right jab, nailing the Filipino with the odd left hand up top. Gesta is picking off what he can, trying his best to muster up some counter right jabs & hooks, but getting forced back continually. Gesta is finding Rodríguez with the jab with good accuracy backing up but can't slow him down. Rodríguez keeps fly-fishing with the left hand - and CRACKS GESTA WITH A BIG ONE, knees buckling, almost down! Rodríguez bulldozes him into the ropes and keeps power-flurrying on him. Gesta wobbly. Ref waves it off!

TKO9!!!