| |
|
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:
Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
, Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
, Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
, Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
, Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
, Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
, Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
, Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
, Wed, 11 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
