Melvin Jerusalem (left) with his coach, Michael Domingo. | contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Whoever Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem will be facing in his next fight, he wants to make sure he will do better.
The newly crowned Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) minimumweight champion Jerusalem of the Zip Sanman Boxing team said he wasn’t that satisfied with the way he performed in his last fight.
Jerusalem wrested the OPBF minimumweight title via a lopsided unanimous decision victory over Toto Landero last July 16 at the Tabunok Sports Complex in Talisay City, Cebu.
READ: Jerusalem wins rematch with Landero, walks away with OPBF title
But the 27-year-old boxer from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon said he can do better.
“Plano nako, kung kinsa ilang ihatag nga kontra sa ako-a, paningkamontan gyud nako og maayo kay para nako kulang pa gyud akong dula. Kinahanglan pa jud maningkamot ug maayo para malig-on pa jud ug maayo,” said Jerusalem.
Jerusalem learned that his promoters from Zip Sanman Boxing told him that they are preparing a fight for him in Japan to defend his title. However, they did not disclose when and who he will face.
“Sa pagka karon, paabot ra ko sa akong manager ug unsay plano nila pero gi ingnan ko nila nga mo depensa daw ko sa Japan, pero wala pa’y sure kung kinsa nga kontra ilahg ihatag para sa ako-a,” Jerusalem said.
Jerusalem, a former ALA Boxing Gym standout, has a record to 17 wins and two defeats. He won via knockout 10 times.
He fought for the WBC world minimumweight title against Wanheng Menayothin of Thailand in 2017, but lost via unanimous decision.
He struggled following that loss and was defeated by fellow Filipino world title challenger Joey Canoy by unanimous decision in the same year at the IEC Convention Center in Cebu City.
Jerusalem managed to recover from the back-to-back defeats by putting on a six-fight winning streak since 2018. Two of that fights were against Landero.
Their first meeting was in November 2018 in a non-title bout held in Minglanilla town, southern Cebu.
/bmjo
Photo caption: Melvin Jerusalem (left) with his coach, Michael Domingo. | contributed photo