Melvin Jerusalem (left) during his fight versus Toto Landero (right) in Minglanilla town, south Cebu in 2018. | CDN File Photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Former world title challenger and top-ranked world minimumweight contender Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem is eyeing an impressive win in the Sanman Bubble Boxing VIII to improve his chances of landing another world title shot.
The 28-year-old Jerusalem, the pride of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, will be facing journeyman Ramel Antaran in a tune-up bout in the undercard of Sanman Bubble Boxing VIII in General Santos City on Saturday, February 26, 2022.
Jerusalem, a former ALA Boxing Gym stalwart who now fights under Zip-Sanman Boxing’s fold, has a record of 17 wins with two defeats and 10 knockouts.
The 25-year-old Antaran of Malungon, Saranggani has a record of 4-15-2 (win-loss-draw) and he is scheduled to square off with Jerusalem for eight rounds.
Despite the disparity of their record, Jerusalem said that he won’t take Antaran lightly.
“Dili lang gihapon ta mo kumpyansa. Dili sad ko makapasalig nga mahuman nako ug dali ang dula, pero buhaton nako akong best para mahatagan ko ug chance nga makadula ug world title balik,” said Jerusalem, who is ranked top five in all four major world boxing governing bodies.
(We should not be complacent. I am not assuring I can finish the fight early but I will do my best so I can get a chance to fight for a world title again.)
Jerusalem is the top contender in the WBO’s minimumweight division with Japanese Masataka Taniguchi as the champion. He is also the top ranked contender in the IBF with fellow Filipino Rene Cuarto as the reigning world champion.
He is ranked No. 5 in the WBA with Thai Thammanoon Niyomtrong as the title holder.
Jerusalem is the No. 2 contender in the WBC with Wanheng Menayothin of Thailand as the top contender while Panya Pradabsri who is also from Thailand is the current title holder.
Menayothin and Jerusalem clashed in 2017 for the WBC world minimumweight title in Thailand. Menayothin won the bout via unanimous decision, but Jerusalem crawled back to the top of the rankings after winning his last six bouts after his loss. He won the OPBF minimumweight title in the process.
/bmjo
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