Melvin Jerusalem (R) lands a proper hand on Luis Castillo. Photograph by Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions
Melvin Jerusalem could have efficiently hurdled his first challenger as WBC strawweight champion, however the problem of discovering him significant fights remains to be ongoing.
The 30-year-old Jerusalem (23-3, 12 knockouts) defeated obligatory challenger Luis Castillo by unanimous determination on Sunday in Mandaluyong Metropolis, Philippines, dropping the beforehand unbeaten Castillo within the opening spherical earlier than successful all twelve rounds on two of the judges’ scorecards.
Clearing his obligatory obligation means Jerusalem now could be free to make an elective protection. If it was as much as him, Jerusalem says he want to unify towards WBA titleholder Thammanoon Niyomtrong of Thailand.
Niyomtrong (25-0, 9 KOs) is the longest reigning titleholder within the sport, having held a model of the belt since 2016. The 34-year-old traveled to Australia to defend the belt earlier this month, defeating Alex Winwood by majority determination.
“I need to combat the WBA champion [Niyomtrong],” stated Jerusalem of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon, Philippines.
“He’s nonetheless good. He’s robust however my dream is to combat him as a result of I need to combat unification fights. I’ll put together for that.”
Promoter Jim Claude Manangquil of Sanman Promotions says that, whereas that combat can be one they’d wish to make for Jerusalem’s legacy, the issue is discovering the cash to make fights between 105-pounders who’re just about unknown exterior of Southeast Asia worthwhile.
“It’s gonna be a tough combat to make, however [as far as] type matchups, I believe Melvin beats him straightforward,” stated Manangquil.
“The issue is discovering the cash for these fights. We have been fortunate sufficient that Manny [Pacquiao] had the finances for the Blow by Blow [broadcast],” added Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions, which promoted the occasion, which was free to the general public to attend.
Gibbons says the uncommon title protection within the Philippines took place after WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman visited Pacquiao within the Philippines earlier this 12 months, with the events agreeing to make the Jerusalem-Castillo combat, adopted by a collection of 5-on-5 occasions between fighters from Pacquiao’s steady and Mexico’s Bxstrs Promotions within the Philippines and Mexico.
Manangquil provides that the Kameda group nonetheless has an choice for his subsequent protection as a part of the deal for Jerusalem’s title successful combat towards Yudai Shigeoka (9-1, 5 KOs) this previous March in Japan, which means {that a} rematch might be a risk. Shigeoka rebounded from the loss to Jerusalem with a unanimous determination win over former title challenger Samuel Salva in August.
“It’s doable that he has to rematch him,” stated Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions.
“However in the mean time he’s simply having fun with the win. It’s nonetheless early within the recreation. I’ll communicate to JC subsequent week to see what we are able to work out.”
One combat that Gibbons want to see for Jerusalem is a rematch with Oscar Collazo, the WBO titleholder who stopped Jerusalem after the seventh spherical of their bout in 2023.
“Individuals don’t understand, the Collazo combat was an absolute catastrophe. He bought denied for his visa, we bought an emergency one-entry visa, he arrived seven days out. He was fully thoughts blown. He misplaced earlier than that bell even rang. He’s a a lot better fighter than Collazo. We’re gunning for Collazo, we wish that rematch for Melvin,”stated Gibbons.
The Castillo combat was the primary title combat for Jerusalem within the Philippines, having received his two belts in Japan, and challenged unsuccessfully for the WBC title in Thailand towards Wanheng Menayothin in 2017, and dropping the Collazo protection in america.
Jerusalem says that combating in his house nation was a dream come true, however that he nonetheless has different desires remaining.
“I’m so very completely happy and assured to present a great efficiency in my house nation, as a result of that combat is my dream combat ,to defend my belt right here in my homeland,” stated Jerusalem, who’s managed by Nobuyuki and Mhavic Matsuura.
“Luis Castillo is a tough and courageous boxer, and I ready already for what occurred as a result of I do know Mexican boxers are very robust.
“My dream 1727211123 is to get the 4 belts and make historical past within the minimumweight division.”
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 Faculty of Journalism Class of 2020. He might be reached at [email protected].
