MELVIN Jerusalem is ready to put on a show in front of Filipino boxing fans as he stakes his WBC minimumweight crown against Luis Castillo of Mexico Sunday night at the Mandaluyong College gym.
The 12-round fight serves as the Filipinos’ first title defense and vows not to disappoint an expected huge crowd on hand to witness the first world championship fight to be staged in the country in the last seven years.
“Ito yung pangarap ko na makapag-defend ng world title dito sa ating bansa,” said Jerusalem, who was grateful for the effort of his handler JC Mananquil of Sanman Promotions and MP Promotions of boxing great Manny Pacquiao to bring the title bout in the country.
Jerusalem’s mother and other relatives are coming over from Bukidnon to be at ringside during the fight.
“Kaya ipapanalo natin ito,” added the champion.
Jerusalem didn’t have a hard time making weight during Saturday’s weigh-in, coming in at 104.8 lbs.
Castillo, 27, also tipped the scale at 104.8 lbs.
“It’s going to be a tough fight, but we’re coming prepared 100 percent,” said Castillo, who is undefeated in 21 fights including 13 by KOs.
The Mexican challenger is trained by Eduardo Montiel, brother of former world champion Fernando Montiel.
Photo by Wendell Alinea
“We’re coming ready. We know we’re going to have a tough fight against the Filipino,” said Eduardo, who describes Jerusalem as a boxer who fights with a Mexican style.
The 30-year-old Jerusalem also has high regards to Castillo, but said he’s going for a knockout should the opportunity presents itself.
“Magaling siyang boxer. Mabilis siya kaya kailangan natin talagang pag-handaan,” said the champion, owner of a 22-3 record with 12 KOs.
“Hindi siya madaling tumbahin. Dadahan-dahanin natin siya. Kapag nakakita ng pagkakataon, tutumbahin natin siya.”
Former IBF super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas fights in the main undercard of the promotion to be shown in the weekly Blow-By-Blow boxing show.
The 32-year-old Ancajas will be up against Sukpraserd Ponpitak of Thailand in his first fight back after losing to Takuma Inoue by ninth round stoppage in Tokyo, Japan last February.
READ: Jerwin Ancajas suffers ninth-round stoppage at hands of Takuma Inoue
Yuji Fukuji of Japan serves as the third man on the ring, while the three judges working the Jerusalem-Castillon title bout are Shin Kyoung-Ha, Stephen Blea, and Arnulfo Najera.
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