By MARK REY MONTEJO
Newly-crowned WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem is ready for another tough challenge ahead either a rematch with Puerto Rican Oscar Collazo or a return bout with former Japanese champion Yudai Shigeoka.
He is also entertaining an idea of defending his title at home.
Those are the options at hand two days for the two-time champion after pulling off a split decision over the
Japanese star at the International Conference Hall in Nagoya in a win that ended the country’s string of misfortunes in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Sanman Promotions CEO JC Manangquil who appeared with Jerusalem in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex said they have exciting plans for the country’s current lone world champion.
“A plan is we can do a title fight here, but if we can have a shot at a unification, another option din yun. The bigger fights, the better for Melvin yun,” said Manangquil in the session presented by San Miguel Corporation,
Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, PLDT/Smart, and the country’s leading sports entertainment gateway ArenaPlus.
But if he can have his way, 30-year-old pride of Bukidnon would like to have a rematch with Collazo for a unification bout and win more titles in his division.
“Kung bibigyan ako ng chance gusto kong makakuha ng ibang belt,” Jerusalem.
“Gusto kong makabawi, sayang di tayo nakadepensa. Kaya pagbubutihan ko talaga para mabawi.”
It can be remembered that Collazo knocked Jerusalem out in the seventh round of their bout last year to capture the WBO minimumweight belt.
But the prized fighter from Newark, New Jersey has called out for a rematch.
“Congrats for being a champ again. You know we are ready for that unification. I’m calling out when and where??,” Collazo posted on his social media.
Problem is there was a rematch clause in his fight contract with Shigeoka.
“If there’s a shot for unification, we’re ready. But there’s a rematch clause ‘yong promoter ng champion (Shigeoka) sa amin,” Manangquil stressed.
“So if they want a rematch there will be,” he added.
But while the future looks bright for the Filipino world champion, Manangquil said Jerusalem will have a well-deserved two-week break following a grueling training camp he did in preparation for the fight against Shigeoka with trainer Michael Domingo.
“Sa ngayon hayaan muna namin siyang mag-relax at mag-enjoy,” added Manangquil.
