WIN by knockout.
Melvin Jerusalem is leaving nothing to chance and plans to send champion Chayaphon Moonsri to dreamland when they face off on Wednesday for the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight title at Phitsanulok province in Thailand.
The 22-year-old Filipino from the famed ALA Boxing stable in Cebu knows it will be hard for him to wrest the 105-lbs crown if the 12-round bout goes the distance, especially in a place where hometown decisions are notorious.
"Sana manalo tayo by KO," said ALA Boxing chief trainer Edito Villamor on the eve of the fight. "Kailangan talaga i-knock out niya para walang hometown (decision)."
Fighting in just his 12th bout as a pro, the unbeaten Jerusalem is calm yet confident in his first ever bid for a world championship. The native of Bukidnon came in at exactly the 105-lbs. limit during Tuesday's official weigh-in at the Park Plaza hotel, the same weight carried by the 31-year-old Thai champion.
Although his ward is still relatively young, Villamor knows Jerusalem has power packed in his fists which is good enough to topple the defending champion.
The Filipino challenger has seven KOS to his name.
"Basta maka-timing lang si Melvin," said Villamor, who will assists trainer Michael Domingo in manning the corner of Jerusalem.
Moonsri holds a menacing 44-0 record with 17 KOs and has not fought outside of Thailand. He is seeking to defend his WBC belt for the sixth time.
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