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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider Jerusalem to fight Kuse in rematch as Collazo unification delayed

Jerusalem to fight Kuse in rematch as Collazo unification delayed

Published Mar 2, 2026 03:36 pm

At A Glance

  • The World Boxing Council minimumweight title holder is set for a rematch against South African challenger Siyakholwa Kuse on May 16 after talks for a rematch against World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA) unified champion bogged down.

Melvin Jerusalem won’t just sit back and relax while waiting for Oscar Collazo for their unification fight.

The World Boxing Council minimumweight title holder is set for a rematch against South African challenger Siyakholwa Kuse on May 16 after talks for a rematch against World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA) unified champion bogged down.

Jerusalem was already announced to be facing Collazo on March 14 to unify their belts but was postponed with the Puerto Rican taking on WBA no.7 contender Jesus Haro instead on the same date.

The unification is expected to happen in June or July.

With the planned unification delayed, Jerusalem’s promoter JC Mananquil of Sanman Promotions, had to go for another plan, which is to accept the rematch against Kuse.

Jerusalem defeated Kuse via unanimous decision during the Thrilla in Manila 50th anniversary celebration at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The rematch, this time, is set in Kuse’s home soil at the Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“Yung unification was already set but pero di nagpush through and nangyayari naman talaga iyon sa boxing so we just have to go to the plan B,” Mananquil told Tempo-Manila Bulletin.

“Yung team ni Kuse, nandito pa sa Pilipinas palang is already asking for a rematch but that time we were focused on the unification talks,” he added.

Mananquil, however, assured that the match isn’t meant to just keep Jerusalem busy before the possible unification, stressing that the Kuse is a legitimate threat to the Filipino’s reign.

“This is not a fight just to keep Melvin busy. Kuse is a very tough fighter, nakita naman natin iyon sa Manila. This is an important fight. Hindi namin iniisip muna yung unification. We want to focus on this fight first and then we plan to re-negotiate with Collazo in the future,” he added.

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