By MARK REY MONTEJO
Filipino champion Melvin Jerusalem is locked and loaded for his first title defense of his World Boxing Council minimumweight crown against undefeated Mexican Luis Castillo in their 12-round bout at the Mandaluyong City College gym on Sunday, Sept. 22.
On his second year as a champion in the minimumweight division, the proud son of Bukidnon is aiming nothing but glory in the historic fight that will mark the first time a WBC title bout be held in the country since 1999.
The last time such a fight happened in the Philippine soil was when the then-budding Manny Pacquiao defended his WBC flyweight title via a knockout victory over Mexican Gabriel Mira at the Araneta Coliseum.
And for that, Jerusalem is all the more eager to give the home crowd a show against the rangy and dangerous Castillo. Both fighters tipped the scales at 104.8 lbs, very well inside the 105 lbs limit, formally setting up the highly-anticipated showdown.
Jerusalem, holding a 22-3 record with 12 KOs, is hoping to avoid falling into the same traps from his first title defense when he failed to defend his World Boxing Organization minimumweight strap against Oscar Collazo during his first title reign.
He feels he’s now better prepared and equipped against Castillo, who is coming in undefeated through 21 fights.
“Talagang preparado kami sa kanya, kasi unang-una nakita na namin sya ‘yong No. 1 contender and pinanood namin kung paano siya umatake. Ito lang masasabi ko handa akong itaya ang sarili ko para sa bayan, naniniwala akong hindi ako pababayaan ng Panginoon,” said Jerusalem.
“Gagawin ko nalang ‘yong best ko para ma-keep ko ‘tong belt,” he vowed.
Castillo, younger and taller over Jerusalem, for his part, is not lacking the confidence that he can pull the rug from under the champion even with the home court advantage especially that the admission to the contest is free.
“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. One way or another, I’ll try to knock him out and about the crowd, it motivates me more, so it doesn’t matter,” said Castillo.
Also seeing action in the undercard is former world champion Jerwin Ancajas who will take on Thai fighter Sukpraserd Ponpitak.
