DEFENDING his world title belt in front of his countryman never gets old for Melvin Jerusalem.
And that he headlines the celebration of one of boxing’s most revered fights of all time, make this fight even more meaningful for the reigning WBC minimumweight champion.
“Sobrang excited ako kasi atin ito, e,” Jerusalem said during Tuesday’s presser for his 12-round bout against Siyakholwa Kuse of South Africa.
“Yung crowd sa atin. Ibang-iba pa rin yung sariling atin ang suporta.”
READ: Living symbol of ‘Thrilla in Manila’ comes home for 50th anniversary gala
Jerusalem’s stakes his 105lbs crown Wednesday night when the country remembers the golden anniversary of the ‘Thrilla in Manila,’ the iconic heavyweight title fight featuring the late legendary fighters Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
Jerusalem and Kuse are not in the same mold as the two Hall of Fame boxers, but promises to put on a firework of a show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum – the same venue where the third and final installment of the Ali-Frazier trilogy was held on Oct. 1, 1975.
“Saka 50th anniversary ito ng Thrilla in Manila. Excited ako kasi maraming bigatin na manonood kaya gagalingan natin yung laban natin,” said the Filipino world champion.
Both the champion and challenger made the weight with ease, tipping in at 104.8lbs.
The 31-year-old Jerusalem is making defending his title at home for the second time in about a year after scoring a 12-round unanimous decision against Mexican Luis Castillo at the Mandaluyong City College in September of 2024.
The Filipino sports a 24-3-1 record with 12 KOs.
Just 22, Kuse hasn’t had too many fights yet across his name, carrying a 9-2-1 record including four KOs.
But the South African will have former world champion Brian Mitchell working his corner.
Kuse’s trainer once reigned as WBA junior lightweight champion from 1986 to 1991.
Other Filipino boxers will also have their share of the limelight along with Jerusalem.
Tokyo Olympics bronze medal winner Eumir Marcial battles Venezuelan Eddy Colminares for the WBC International middleweight championship, while former two-time world champion Marlon Tapales takes on Fernando Toro also of Venezuela in an eight-round supporting bout.
Undefeated super-bantamweight contender Carl Jammes Martin will meet Aran Dipaen of Thailand in the main supporting bout, along with Nico Ali Walsh – grandson of the great Ali – who faces Thai Kittisak Kilnson.
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