Friday night from the Casino Del Sol in Tuczon, Arizona, Jr. Welterweight prospect Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (18-0-1, 8 KOs) of San Diego faced Genaro Trazancos (22-11-1, 13 KOs) in Solo Boxeo’s 8 round main event.

Earlier in the week this card suffered a major change as headlining Michael Franco (16-0, 11 KOs) from Riverside, Ca., was told that he had a small retina tear in his pre-weight eye exam. Franco was to face veteran Adolfo Landeros in an  8 round fight but Landeros ended up fighting late replacement Noe Lopez in the co-main event.

Placed as the headliner, “No Mercy” Gesta outclassed “Trancaso” Trazancos over 7 rounds before he landed a straight left that put Trazancos down for the count. From the opening bell Gesta’s superior speed and boxing skills paved the way to an overall uneventful bout over a game but slower Trazancos. At times Gesta was being hit unnecessarily as he was getting caught admiring his wide array of landed punches. The crowd in attendance was growing frustrated as the mis-match was more and more evident and Gesta’s killer instinct was M.I.A. To the crowds satisfaction, in the 7th round Gesta rushed Trazancos to put him on the canvas with a strong left hand. Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta improved to 19-0-1, 9 KOs, by showing good speed and skills but he needs to improve his overall approach to the sport by taking care of business instead of playing with his opponents.

In the fight of the night, late replacement Noe “Chamaco” Lopez (5-5, 4 KOs) upset veteran Adolfo “Terror” Landeros (20-14-1 9 KOs) in a back and forth fight. From the get-go the 21 year old Lopez took the fight to Landeros by applying smart pressure throughout the fight. Landeros seemed confused as he couldn’t decipher the lanky southpaw who was throwing punches from all angles including a left hand that put Landeros on the canvas in 2nd round. Landeros was game as he moved forward to engaged in fierce exchanges but Lopez stood toe to toe and got the better of Landeros often landing the most telling shots. With the scores of 80-71, 79-72 and 79-72 impressive Noe Lopez improved to 6-5, 4 KOs by upsetting Landeros in what seems to be a step in the right direction for this young fighter.

1. Prospect Gesta destroys Valle in San Diego