| |
|
Jerusalem due for title defense
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 Jun 2024
The country’s only reigning world boxing champion Melvin Jerusalem is mandated to stake his WBC minimumweight crown against No. 1 contender Luis Castillo of Mexico and MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said yesterday he’s moving mountains to set the defense tentatively on Sept. 7 in Manila or General Santos City or Masbate or anywhere in the Philippines.
Jerusalem was in Masbate to witness the second edition of Gov. Antonio Kho’s “Bakbakan” series last weekend and said the other option is to face Castillo in Mexico. “Bahala is Sir Sean,” said Jerusalem. “Lalaban ako kung saan man pero maganda kung sa bansa natin.” Gibbons flew in from Las Vegas to attend Gov. Kho’s boxing card and met with Jerusalem and his promoter JC Manangquil of SanMan Promotions and managers Japanese businessman Nobuyuki Matsuura and his Filipina wife Mhavic who were all in Masbate.
Gibbons flew from Masbate to Manila to General Santos City to confer with Manny Pacquiao on the possibility of staging Jerusalem’s defense at home. Gibbons declined to disclose the budget for the boxers’ purses but said the amount is manageable. “I hope to discuss it with Senator Manny who’s busy training for his three-round fight in Japan on July 28,” said Gibbons. “Melvin’s the only world champion we’ve got and for his mandatory defense, we’d prefer it not to be in Mexico.”
Castillo, nicknamed Flechita (little arrow), is an unbeaten southpaw with a 21-0-1 record, including 13 KOs. The 26-year-old Los Mochis, Sinaloa, fighter has never seen action outside of Mexico. Of his 13 KOs, 12 came within three rounds. Jerusalem, 30, has a 22-3 record, with 12 KOs. He scored a split 12-round decision over Yudai Shigeoka to wrest the WBC crown in Nagoya last March. Jerusalem decked Shigeoka in rounds three and six to punctuate the win.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
, Wed, 14 Jan 2026“No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
, Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
, Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
, Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
, Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
, Fri, 09 Jan 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
