By REYNALD MAGALLON
Everything is set for the much anticipated US debut of Filipino WBO minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem as he and Puerto Rican challenger Oscar Collazo officially made the weights for their title clash at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California on Sunday, May 28 (Manila time).
Jerusalem tipped the scales at 104.6 pounds, slightly lighter as compared to Collazo who weighed in at the contracted weight of 105 pounds formally setting up the stage for the exciting 12-round showdown between the two proud fighters.
There was no sense of any animosity between the two ahead of the title bout although both fighters have signified their confidence of winning the fight.
Seemingly not feeling any nerves despite making his first pro-fight under the brightest of lights and before the US crowd, Jerusalem is looking forward to making an auspicious first title defense against a formidable foe in Collazo.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity. I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions for this fight. I am excited to see my opponent today. We will see you all on Saturday night,” said the mild-mannered Jerusalem during the final fight presser.
Jerusalem, boasting of a 20-2 record, 12 KOs, is coming into the match with all the momentum from his nine-fight winning streak including an impressive second round knockout victory over Masataka Taniguchi which allowed him to wrest the minimumweight belt.
Unfazed, however, was Collazo, who has his eyes set on history as the fastest Puerto Rican boxer to win a world title if he manages to topple the defending champion from his throne.
“Thank you for this opportunity to make history, history for Puerto Rico, the opportunity to become one of the fastest to become a world champion,” said Collazo who is staking his current clean slate of six wins with four knockouts.
“We’re feeling very good about this. I earned this, and you’re going to see it this Saturday,” he added.
