Melvin Jerusalem makes his first defense of his World Boxing Council minimumweight crown against unbeaten Mexican challenger Luis Castillo in their 12-round Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Mandaluyong City College gym.

Jerusalem, who currently holds 22 wins off 12KOs against 3 losses, eyes to keep his belt against Castillo (21-0-1) in the fight card organized by Manny Pacquiao's MP Promotions.

Both fighters tipped the scales at 104.8 lbs during Saturday's weigh-in.

“Talagang preparado kami sa kanya, kasi unang-una nakita na namin sya ‘yong No. 1 contender and pinanood namin kung paano siya umatake,” said Jerusalem. “Ito lang masasabi ko handa itaya ang sarili ko para sa bayan, naniniwala akong hindi ako pababayaan ng panginoon.

However, the much younger Castillo poses a great threat which comes from the unblemished record he is carrying up in the ring.

“I’ll give my best. We know he is a tough fighter but we came here prepared and hopefully get that title back to Mexico,” said Castillo through a translator. “One way or another, I’ll try to knock him out… and about the crowd, it motivates me more, so it doesn’t matter.”

The last time a battle was held on Philippine soil for a WBC title was in 1999 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where boxing icon Manny Pacquiao retained the flyweight title via a knockout victory over Mexican Gabriel Mira.

Ironically, 27 years ago at the very same city, Pacquiao also fought Thai Chokchai Chockvivat where he eventually bagged The Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) flyweight belt.

The slugfest also features former world champion Jerwin Ancajas, who tus Thai Sukpraserd Ponpitak before other local bets collide with their respective foes.

Admission is free for those who want to watch it live.