Melvin Jerusalem wants to be reunited with Niyomtrong, but a Shigeoka rematch may be on the cards

Melvin Jerusalem may have successfully defeated his first WBC strawweight title challenge, but the challenge of finding him serious fights continues.

The 30-year-old Jerusalem (23-3, 12 knockouts) defeated Luis Castillo by unanimous decision on Sunday in Mandaluyong City, Philippines, dropping the undefeated Castillo in the opening round before winning all twelve rounds over two judges. ‘cards.

Removing his mandatory responsibility means that Jerusalem is now free to make a voluntary defense. If it were up to him, Jerusalem says he would like to face the WBA title Thammanoon Niyomtrong from Thailand.

Niyomtrong (25-0, 9 KOs) is the longest reigning champion in the sport, having held the belt since 2016. The 34-year-old traveled to Australia to defend his belt earlier this month, defeating Alex Winwood by unanimous decision. decision.

“I want to fight the WBA champion [Niyomtrong],” said Jerusalem of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon, Philippines.

“He’s still beautiful. He is strong but my dream is to fight him because I want to fight unity battles. I will prepare you for that.”

Promoter Jim Claude Manangquil of Sanman Promotions says, although that fight would be one they would like to do for the benefit of Jerusalem’s legacy, the problem is getting money for a fight between 105-pounders unknown outside of Southeast Asia.

“It’s going to be a tough fight to do, though [as far as] style matchups, I think Melvin beats him easily,” said Manangquil.

“The problem is getting money for these wars. We were lucky to have Manny [Pacquiao] he had a budget for Blow by Blow [broadcast],” added Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions, which promoted the event, which was free to the public.

Gibbons says the rare title defense in the Philippines happened after WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman visited Pacquiao in the Philippines earlier this year, and the teams agreed to a Jerusalem-Castillo fight, followed by a series of 5-on-5 events between the fighters. from Pacquiao’s stable and Mexico’s Bxstrs Promotions in the Philippines and Mexico.

Manangquil added that Kameda’s team still has a chance to defend next as part of the deal for Jerusalem’s title fight against Yudai Shigeoka (9-1, 5 KOs) last March in Japan, meaning a rematch is possible. Shigeoka bounced back from Jerusalem’s unanimous decision loss to former title contender Samuel Salva in August.

“He might have to regroup,” said Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions.

“But for now he is still enjoying the victory. The game is just starting. I will talk to JC next week to see what we can get.”

Another fight Gibbons would like to see for Jerusalem is a rematch with Oscar Collazo, the WBO title holder who stopped Jerusalem after the seventh round of their fight in 2023.

“People don’t see, Collazo’s fight was a disaster. He was denied his visa, we got an emergency entry visa, and he arrived seven days after being out. He was completely blown away. He failed before that bell even rang. He is a much better warrior than Collazo. We beat Collazo, we want a repeat of Melvin,” said Gibbons.

Castillo’s first title fight was in Jerusalem in the Philippines, he won his two belts in Japan, challenged for the WBC title in Thailand against Wanheng Menayothin in 2017, and lost to Collazo in the United States.

Jerusalem says that fighting in her country was a dream, but she still has other dreams left.

“I am very happy and confident of doing well in my country, because that fight is my dream, to defend my belt here in my country,” said Jerusalem, managed by Nobuyuki and Mavic Matsuura.

“Luis Castillo is a tough and brave boxer, and I was just prepared for what happened because I know that Mexican boxers are very strong.

“My dream 1727212557 is to get four belts and make history in the minimumweight 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].