The World Boxing Organization (WBO) will oversee four major fights this week around the world, including a world championship bout.

Starting on Thursday, June 14 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, seventh ranked Hiroaki Teshigawara (16-2-2, 9 KOs), of Tokyo, will defend his WBO Asia-Pacific Bantamweight title against the two-time world title challenger Teiru Kinoshita (26-2-1, 9 KOs), of Kobe.

In the same card, 12th ranked Ryuichi Funai (29-7, 20 KOs), from Tokyo, will face former world champion Warlito Parrenas (26-7-1, 23 KOs), from Philippines, for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific Jr. Bantamweight belt. Both fights are scheduled for 12 round as part of a event promoted by Dangan Boxing.

Also on Thursday, but in Indio, California, Filipino Mercedito Gesta (31-2-2, 17 KOs) will battle Robert Manzanarez (36-1, 29 KOs), of Arizona, for the vacant WBO NABO Lightweight title, in a 10 round clash.

The event, which will take place at Fantasy Springs Casino, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, and will feature a live broadcast on ESPN, starting at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time (5:30 p.m. Pacific time).

Meanwhile, on Saturday, June 16 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, WBO Jr. Flyweight Champion, Ángel ‘Tito’ Acosta (17-1, 17 KOs), from Puerto Rico, will be making his first title defense, against 10th ranked, and former WBO Youth and Latino champion, Carlos Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 KOs), of Nicaragua, in a schedule 12 round fight. Nitro Casino https://kasynopl.com/nitrocasino/

In Puerto Rico, DIRECTV subscribers will be able to see the event through channel 161, OnDIRECTV, starting at 9 p.m, Eastern time (6:00 p.m. Pacific time). Integrated Sports Media is distributing the card in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide (excluding Puerto Rico) on the FITE.TV app and website (www.fite.tv), for a suggested retail price of $34.95.

The event is promoted by Cotto Promotions, in association with H2 Entertainment.

On June, 14 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN, Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (31-2-2, 17 KOs) of Cebu, Philippines will battle Roberto “Tito” Manzanarez (35-1, 28 KOs) of Phoenix, Arizona for the NABO Lightweight Title in the 10-round main event from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino from Indio, Calif.

ESPN3 will live stream beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.
ESPN will air fights beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.
ESPN Deportes will air the fights on Friday, June 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

Gesta works the mitts with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach ahead of his clash

Here’s what Gesta had to say at the media workout:

MERCITO “NO MERCY” GESTA, Former Lightweight Title Challenger:
“I feel excited for every fight. It’s another great event. Every event that I fight I treat as something special. Manzanarez is tough, but I’ll need to figure him out in the ring. Based on the videos, it’s tough to get on the inside because he’s tall, long and knows how to use that as advantages.”

“I learned from my world title fight. It boosted my confidence because I did so well against a great fighter. Every opponent is different and has different styles. I can’t look down on this guy. He’s not a stepping stone, and I will treat him as a world champion. I see myself fighting for a world title again soon. I still feel strong and ready. I still have a long way left in my career. I want any champion in the division. I’m always ready to take a fight.”

Gesta vs. Manzanarez is a 10-round fight for the NABO Lightweight Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy, “Never Stop, Never Settle.” The fights will take place on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. ESPN will air the fights beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT, and stream live on ESPN3 starting at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. ESPN Deportes will air the fights on Friday, June 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event are on sale and start at $25. Tickets will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

(Photo Credit: Luis Arevalo Jr./Westside Boxing)