Melvin Jerusalem has made his title in world title fights overseas. Now he lastly will get one at residence.
The Filipino street warrior will make the primary protection of WBC strawweight title on September 22 when he faces obligatory challenger Luis Castillo at Mandaluyong Metropolis School Gymnasium in Metro Manila.
The 30-year-old Jerusalem (22-3, 12 knockouts) of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon province, Philippines gained the title in March, defeating Yudai Shigoeka by break up determination in Japan, and is now in his second reign as champion. He gained the WBO 105-pound title in January of 2023, defeating Masataka Taniguchi by second spherical stoppage, earlier than shedding it simply 4 months later by seventh spherical stoppage to Oscar Collazo.
Now, with hometown benefit for a change, Jerusalem is hoping to keep away from the primary protection jinx which befell him throughout his first reign.
“I’m very joyful that I’ll defend my WBC belt proper right here in my hometown. I’ll do my greatest to defend the belt and I’ll give an excellent struggle within the ring,” mentioned Jerusalem, who’s rated no. 3 by The Ring at 105 kilos whereas his opponent is rated no. 10.
“Castillo is a troublesome unbeaten Mexican. He is a good fighter and you recognize Mexicans all the time come and struggle so it will likely be a enjoyable struggle,” mentioned Jim Claude Manangquil, whose Sanman Boxing promotes Jerusalem.
“However Jerusalem’s expertise and proper hand will probably be an excessive amount of for him.”
Castillo (21-0-1, 13 KOs) of Los Mochis, Mexico will probably be combating exterior of his residence nation for the primary time in his ten 12 months profession. The 27-year-old, a southpaw like 4 of Jerusalem’s final 5 opponents, has fought few notable opponents to date, with essentially the most noteworthy being former title challenger Abraham Rodriguez, whom Castillo stopped in six rounds in 2022. Castillo has not been significantly lively in recent times, having not fought since his ten spherical unanimous determination win final November towards Miguel Angel Herrera, which was his first struggle because the Rodriguez struggle 15 months earlier.
“We have now already a recreation plan for my opponent. He is an effective and tall boxer, however that’s no drawback as a result of I understand how to regulate within the struggle,” mentioned Jerusalem, who’s skilled by former bantamweight contender Michael Domingo in Cebu province and is managed by Nobuyuki and Marivic Matsuura.
“We’re getting ready for this struggle for what number of months and I’ll give all my greatest to this struggle to defend my WBC belt.”
Manangquil credit Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions for serving to carry the struggle to the Philippines. He says Gibbons approached Manny Pacquiao about broadcasting the struggle on his weekly boxing program, Manny Pacquiao Presents: Blow by Blow. The present can be being sponsored by the Mandaluyong Metropolis authorities Mayor Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., who’s making entrance for the present free to the general public, in addition to oil firm Petron.
“Manny mentioned he won’t let Melvin go on the street for his first protection. We thank Manny Pacquiao for all of this,” mentioned Manangquil.
World title fights within the Philippines are exceedingly uncommon as the tv and reside gate market are often way more profitable. The final world title struggle to happen within the Philippines was the IBF strawweight title struggle between Pedro Taduran and Rene Mark Cuarto in February 2022, although there have been no spectators in attendance resulting from COVID-19 protocols. Previous to that, the final title struggle within the Philippines was the vacant IBF junior flyweight title struggle between Randy Petalcorin and Felix Alvarado in 2018.
The undercard is scheduled to function former IBF junior bantamweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas (34-4-2, 23 KOs) towards Sukpraserd Ponpitak (30-19, 20 KOs) of Thailand in a ten spherical bout, which will probably be his first look since shedding his problem of WBA bantamweight titleholder Takuma Inoue by ninth spherical knockout in February.
Ryan Songalia has written for ESPN, the New York Day by day Information, Rappler and The Guardian, and is a part of the Craig Newmark Graduate College of Journalism Class of 2020. He could be reached at [email protected].
