Fox Sports 1 Quick Pick

Mercito Gesta vs. Luis Arceo: This Friday Fox Sports 1 will put on a fight card that features some anticipated debuts and some old pros.  One veteran fighter Mercito Gesta (27-1-1, 15 KO) will be headlining the card against Luis Arceo (28-12-4, 18 KO) in a 10 round lightweight bout.  Gesta lost his only title shot to the difficult Miguel Vazquez in 2012 and didn't fight at all in 2013.  He has had one fight in 2014 and scored a knockout but it was against a journeyman, much like Arceo is.  If Gesta can get past Arceo and put together another win after that there is a good chance he could get an early 2015 title shot.  Gesta is a southpaw with quick hands who uses his jab as a distance finder to land his power punches.  Gesta is Filipino and much like his countryman Manny Pacquiao he feints a lot.  His right hook is nice and short and he also throws his uppercuts very well.  While his right hook may be his best punch it is his left hand that has the most power behind it.  Throughout his career Gesta has shown a good chin which he needs because he tends to get wild on offense and forgets to protect himself defensively.  Even with his defensive flaws Gesta should look good in this fight against the twelve loss Arceo who at one point lost seven fights in a row.  While Gesta likes to fight from the outside where he can move and feint Arceo likes to make things tough from the pocket.  Arceo is a 35 year old orthodox fighter with a nice straight right hand but not a whole lot else.  Arceo's jab isn't bad but most of his punches come in wide which leaves him open to be countered and he takes his fair share of punishment.  This shouldn't be much more than a look good fight for Gesta and even though he has his flaws at this point he is much better than Arceo is.  I think Gesta will look sharp and powerful and win this fight by the way of 5th round stoppage.