Melvin Jerusalem (R) lands a right hand on Luis Castillo. Photo by Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions
Melvin Jerusalem may have successfully defeated his first challenger as WBC strawweight champion, but the challenge of finding meaningful fights for him is still ongoing.
The 30-year-old Jerusalem (23-3, 12 knockouts) defeated mandatory challenger Luis Castillo by unanimous decision on Sunday in Mandaluyong City, Philippines, dropping the previously undefeated Castillo in the opening round before going all twelve rounds on two of the judges won. ‘ scorecards.
Clearing its mandatory obligation means that Jerusalem is now free to mount an optional defense. If it was up to him, Jerusalem says he would like to unify against WBA titleholder Thammanoon Niyomtrong of Thailand.
Niyomtrong (25-0, 9 KOs) is the longest reigning title holder in the sport, having held a version of the belt since 2016. The 34-year-old traveled to Australia earlier this month to defend the belt, defeating Alex Winwood by majority decision.
“I want to fight the WBA champion (Niyomtrong),” said Jerusalem of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon, Philippines.
“He’s still good. He is strong but my dream is to fight him because I want to fight unification fights. I will prepare for it.”
Promoter Jim Claude Manangquil of Sanman Promotions says that while that fight would be one they would want to do for Jerusalem’s legacy, the problem is finding the money to put on fights between 105-pounders who are virtually unknown outside of Southeast Asia, the make it worthwhile.
“It’s going to be a tough fight to make, but (as far as) style matchups, I think Melvin beats him easily,” Manangquil said.
“The problem is finding the money for these fights. We were fortunate enough that Manny (Pacquiao) had the budget for the Blow by Blow (broadcast),” added Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions, which promoted the event, which was free to the public to attend.
Gibbons says the rare title defense in the Philippines came about after WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman visited Pacquiao in the Philippines earlier this year, with the parties agreeing to make the Jerusalem-Castillo fight followed by a series of 5- on-5 bouts between fighters from Pacquiao’s stable and Mexico’s Bxstrs Promotions in the Philippines and Mexico.
Manangquil adds that the Kameda group still has an option for his next defense as part of the deal for Jerusalem’s title fight against Yudai Shigeoka (9-1, 5 KOs) this past March in Japan, meaning a rematch ‘ could be a possibility. Shigeoka bounced back from the loss to Jerusalem with a unanimous decision victory over former title challenger Samuel Salva in August.
“It’s possible he’ll have to rematch him,” says Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions.
“But at the moment he is just enjoying the victory. It’s still early in the game. I will talk to JC next week to see what we can find out.”
One fight Gibbons would like to see for Jerusalem is a rematch with Oscar Collazo, the WBO titleholder who stopped Jerusalem after the seventh round of their 2023 fight.
“People don’t realize, the Collazo fight was an absolute disaster. He was refused his visa, we got an emergency single entry visa, he arrived seven days out. He was completely confused. He lost even before that bell rang. He is a much better fighter than Collazo. We’re gunning for Collazo, we want that rematch for Melvin,” Gibbons said.
The Castillo fight was the first title fight for Jerusalem in the Philippines, after winning his two belts in Japan, unsuccessfully challenging for the WBC title in Thailand against Wanheng Menayothin in 2017, and the Collazo defense in the United States lost
Jerusalem says fighting in his native country was a dream come true, but that he still has other dreams left.
“I am so very happy and confident to put on a good performance in my home country because that fight is my dream fight, to defend my belt here in my homeland,” said Jerusalem, who is managed by Nobuyuki and Mhavic Matsuura.
“Luis Castillo is a tough and brave boxer, and I was already preparing for what happened because I know Mexican boxers are very strong.
“My dream (now) is to get the four belts and make history in the minimum weight division.”
Ryan Songalia has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler and The Guardian, and is part of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Class of 2020. He can be reached at (email protected).
