Melvin Jerusalem (R) lands a proper hand on Luis Castillo. Photograph by Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions
Melvin Jerusalem might 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 necessary challenger Luis Castillo by unanimous resolution on Sunday in Mandaluyong Metropolis, Philippines, dropping the beforehand unbeaten Castillo within the opening spherical earlier than profitable all twelve rounds on two of the judges’ scorecards.
Clearing his necessary obligation means Jerusalem now’s 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 resolution.
“I wish to battle the WBA champion [Niyomtrong],” mentioned Jerusalem of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon, Philippines.
“He’s nonetheless good. He’s sturdy however my dream is to battle him as a result of I wish to battle unification fights. I’ll put together for that.”
Promoter Jim Claude Manangquil of Sanman Promotions says that, whereas that battle 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 outdoors of Southeast Asia worthwhile.
“It’s gonna be a tough battle to make, however [as far as] model matchups, I feel Melvin beats him straightforward,” mentioned Manangquil.
“The issue is discovering the cash for these fights. We have been fortunate sufficient that Manny [Pacquiao] had the price range 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 yr, with the events agreeing to make the Jerusalem-Castillo battle, adopted by a sequence of 5-on-5 occasions between fighters from Pacquiao’s secure and Mexico’s Bxstrs Promotions within the Philippines and Mexico.
Manangquil provides that the Kameda group nonetheless has an possibility for his subsequent protection as a part of the deal for Jerusalem’s title profitable battle towards Yudai Shigeoka (9-1, 5 KOs) this previous March in Japan, that means {that a} rematch may very well be a chance. Shigeoka rebounded from the loss to Jerusalem with a unanimous resolution win over former title challenger Samuel Salva in August.
“It’s doable that he has to rematch him,” mentioned Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions.
“However for the time being 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 battle 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.
“Folks don’t understand, the Collazo battle was an absolute catastrophe. He bought denied for his visa, we bought an emergency one-entry visa, he arrived seven days out. He was utterly thoughts blown. He misplaced earlier than that bell even rang. He’s a significantly better fighter than Collazo. We’re gunning for Collazo, we wish that rematch for Melvin,”mentioned Gibbons.
The Castillo battle was the primary title battle for Jerusalem within the Philippines, having gained his two belts in Japan, and challenged unsuccessfully for the WBC title in Thailand towards Wanheng Menayothin in 2017, and shedding the Collazo protection in america.
Jerusalem says that preventing in his dwelling nation was a dream come true, however that he nonetheless has different goals remaining.
“I’m so very glad and assured to offer a superb efficiency in my dwelling nation, as a result of that battle is my dream battle ,to defend my belt right here in my homeland,” mentioned 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 sturdy.
“My dream 1727207153 is to get the 4 belts and make historical past within the minimumweight division.”
Ryan Songalia has written for ESPN, the New York Every day Information, Rappler and The Guardian, and is a part of the Craig Newmark Graduate College of Journalism Class of 2020. He may be reached at [email protected].
