By Chris Williams: When Mercito Gesta (25-0-1, 13 KO’s) turned pro in 2003, more than a few fans saw him as the next Manny Pacquiao. Why? I have no idea. He’s not fast, not particularly power, and not all that skilled, although Pacquiao is limited in the skills department as well. Gesta has failed to live up to the expectations that a lot of fans had for him thus far.

On August 3rd, Gesta will be fighting Ty Barnett (20-2-1, 13 KO’s) in a 10 round bout at the Texas Station in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gesta, 24, is supposed to win this fight handily, but I’m not so sure about that. Ever since I saw Gesta get a gift 10 round decision over Manuel Perez last year in September, I don’t see any win in certain terms with Gesta anymore after that fight.

There’s something missing from his game that I feel is going to keep him from ever reaching the top of the division. Winning a title is possible if the right paper champion is found, and/or a title goes vacant and Gesta fights a poor contender for the strap. With the right kind of matchmaking, I think Gesta can become a paper champion, but as far as being a quality lightweight or light welterweight, forget it. It’s not going to happen.

I think like how Top Rank is increasing Gesta’s chances of success by having him ranked in two divisions rather than the customary one. That’s kind of rare. But they might want to get him ranked in three or four just to ensure that he picks up a strap at some point. If he he can win a title, he’ll have the belt in fan base that will tune in or show up to watch him fight. All Arum has to do is carefully match him to avoid guys that are clearly too good for him.

Is the 29-year-old Barnett someone that will pick Gesta off before Arum has turned him into a moneymaker? I don’t know. I don’t like his resume very much. Barnett was stopped last year by Andrey Kimov in the 3rd round, and also blown out by Juan Santiago in a 1st round knockout three years ago in 2009. Just looking a those losses would suggest that Gesta’s management has done their homework well in picking someone that he can actually beat without much worry. However, I thought that Gesta would cruise past the beatable Perez, but that clearly didn’t happen.