| |
|
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:
Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
, Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
, Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
, Sat, 28 Feb 2026Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
, Thu, 26 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
