Vazquez easily beats Gesta to retain title

Miguel Angel Vazquez retained his International Boxing Federation world lightweight title with a one-sided unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Mercito Gesta on Saturday.

Vazquez, of Guadalajara, Mexico, improved to 33-3 after a 12-round fight in which he was never threatened.

Vazquez defended the title he first won in 2010 for the fifth time. He came out throwing punches from the opening bell while Gesta looked to be testing the waters, the Filipino tossing very few punches in the first few rounds.

Vazquez seemed content to establish his left jab early while Gesta looked for the big knockout punch that never came.

When Gesta tried to move in and land big combinations Vazquez would then backpedal and counter with his right.

Prior to the fight, Gesta had been touted as the heir-apparent to MGM Grand Garden card headliner Manny Pacquiao.

Gesta suffered the first loss of his career after 26 victories and one draw.

This was the first time Gesta had been taken the distance in his three fights this year. The bout was on the undercard of Pacquiao's welterweight fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.