MEXICAN Luis Angel Castillo believes Melvin Jerusalem’s reign as WBC minimumweight champion are numbered.
Only five days remaining to be exact.
And so his piece of advice: enjoy the ride while it lasts.
“I know this is going to be a tough fight, but I know we will emerge victorious. And I want to tell the champion here that he should enjoy his days as a world champion,” said Castillo through an interpreter.
The Filipino world title holder though, is not one to back down from a challenge.
“Tingnan na lang natin sa laban,” said Jerusalem, preferring to let his action do the talking.
Jerusalem’s trainer Michael Domingo countered the belt will remain in the country as the Mexican challenger will go home empty-handed.
“Magtutuluy-tuloy yung reign namin. Mangarap na lang siya,” said Domingo.
The title fight is set on Sunday at the Mandaluyong City College gym and will serve as the major offering of the weekly boxing event of Blow By Blow.
JC Mananquil, CEO of Sanman Promotions which handles Jerusalem, added it was the champion’s wish to defend his title belt right in front of Filipino boxing fans.
“Ito yung hiling ni Melvin na dito siya sa Pilipinas mag-title defense,” said Mananquil of the 30-year-old native of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
Photo: Wendell Alinea
The camp of both Jerusalem and Castillo appeared in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday in their first face-to-face meeting prior to their 12-round title fight.
Jerusalem was with Mananquil and Domingo, while Castillo came with trainer Eduardo Montiel.
Also appearing in the session at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex was Blow by Blow CEO Marife Barrera.
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