LINARES WILL TAKE CARE TO TAKE OF GESTA

Before a potential fight with Mikey Garcia,  WBC Diamond champion Jorge  Linares , must overcome the exacting  Filipino Mercito Gesta on January 27 at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

Although Gesta is less well known than Linares, the champion admits he cannot afford to take matters lightly, especially with a lucrative fight with Garcia just around the corner.

“The truth is that I respect Gesta, as he’s  hungry and he’s worked very hard to get the opportunity and he is motivated,” Linares told ESPN Deportes.

Gesta (31-1-2, 17 KOs) suffered his only defeat in December 2012, being  overtaken by former lightweight champion, Miguel Vázquez.

Linares has had the opportunity to see Gesta up close: “I’ve seen him a lot, I had the opportunity to train with him in 2010 when we were with Freddie Roach. In the Wild Card Gym we did a couple of sparring sessions. He’s good, strong southpaw.”