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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider Expect fireworks in Jerusalem-Castillo title bout

Expect fireworks in Jerusalem-Castillo title bout

Published Sep 17, 2024 06:13 am

At A Glance

  • Reigning World Boxing Council champion Melvin Jerusalem vowed to pour it all when he defends his minimumweight title in front of fellow Filipinos when he battles undefeated Mexican Luis Castillo in a 12-round bout at the Mandaluyong City College Gym Sunday, Sept. 22.

Reigning World Boxing Council champion Melvin Jerusalem vowed to pour it all when he defends his minimumweight title in front of fellow Filipinos when he battles undefeated Mexican Luis Castillo in a 12-round bout at the Mandaluyong City College Gym Sunday, Sept. 22.

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Reigning WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem, left, and Mexico's Luis Castillo 

Jerusalem, who currently holds a 22-3-0 professional card, tackles Castillo (21-0-1) which serves as the main event of the fight card that was organized by Manny Pacquiao's MP Promotions and also features Jerwin Ancajas and multiple rising local boxers.

And for the 30-year-old orthodox slugger, the excitement shadows all the pressure of putting his belt on the line with the hometown crowd in attendance.

“Pangarap ko talagang lumaban [dito] sa Pilipinas, wala pong pressure, excited lang po ako [na lumaban],” said Jerusalem in Tuesday’s PSA Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart/PLDT, MILO, and the leading sports entertainment gateway in the country, ArenaPlus.

“Actually, pinaghandaan namin ‘yong long round, kasi alam namin na ‘di sya basta basta kaya inii-expect namin na di sya madaling patumbahin,” added Jerusalem’s coach and retired boxer Michael Domingo. “Pero pag makita natin ‘yong pagkakataon dun natin tirahin.”

Fighting outside of his turf for the first time, Castillo – a boxer from Sinaloa state which is home to Mexico's illustrious fighters – is bracing for a tough task and expressed his confidence in dethroning Jerusalem.

“Well, the truth is, I know it's going to be a tough fight, but you're going to come out victorious in this big fight, right? Or have an entertaining fight,” said Castillo through a translator. 

“And I want to tell the champion here that he should enjoy those days as a world champion. Clearly, I mean it,” he continued as he was joined by Eduardo Montiel, brother of Fernando, who fought Nonito Donaire in 2011.

"We're ready and we're going to take him seriously and with a lot of respect," Montiel added.

The humble but deadly Jerusalem said the Philippines is not a hostile place for visiting challengers and is known for hospitality.

But when the fight gets on, expect fireworks.

“Enjoy-in mo nalang ang pag-stay mo sa Pilipinas, makikita nalang natin sa laban,” Jerusalem responded.

In his previous fight last March, Jerusalem was victorious against Yudai Shigeoka of Japan.

That triumph made the Bukidnon pride the new WBC minimumweight champion and also cut the series of losses by the Filipino pugs on Japanese soil.

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