MELVIN Jersusalem believes he’ll be in peak form for his shot at the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight championship against defending champion Chayaphon Moonsri.
The rising pride of ALA Boxing is just a pound over the limit of 105 a day before the official weigh-in in the province of Phitsanulok, Thailand on the eve of the title fight on Wednesday.
Jerusalem’s first ever shot at a world title got an added boost on Monday as ALA Boxing chief trainer Edito Villamor arrived in the Thai capital of Bangkok.
“Kanina 106 lbs. na siya, sakto lang sa timbangan para bukas (Tuesday),” said Villamor in a correspondence with SPIN.ph from Thailand.
The lean Filipino contingent will travel five hours by land from Bangkok to Phitsanulok late Monday night.
On Monday, the 22-year-old challenger and the 31-year-old champion held a public workout at the Petchyindee boxing gym in the Thai capital.
Villamor, a former world title challenger himself, liked what he saw.
“OK ang galaw. Maganda ang pinakita niya kanina,” said Villamor. “Two rounds shadow box, punch mitt, skip rope, and abdominal exercises.”
Jerusalem is seeking a world title in only his 11th fight as a pro (seven by KOs), but remains unbeaten, although his record pales in comparison to the 44-0 mark of Moonsri, who posted 17 of those wins via KO.
The Thai champion is defending his crown for a sixth time since winning it at the expense of Filipino Jerry Tomogdan in 2015.
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