Jerusalem comeback fight set on Oct. 29 in General Santos

Melvin Jerusalem wearing the WBO world bantamweight strap around his waist. | Facebook photos

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) world minimumweight champion Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem makes his comeback fight on October 29, 2023, in the main event of “Brawl at the Mall XIV” at the Robinsons Mall, General Santos City.

Jerusalem, one of Cebu-based ZIP-Sanman Boxing Team’s banner boxers, will fight in the main event of the fight card with his opponent yet to be announced.

It can be recalled that the 29-year-old Jerusalem of Bukidnon lost his WBO world minimumweight title against Puerto Rican Oscar Collazo last May 27, 2023, at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California. 

Collazo made Jerusalem quit on his stool before the eighth round started in their lopsided world title showdown. 

Jerusalem reigned as a world champion for roughly five months after he staged a huge upset in Osaka, Japan by knocking out erstwhile WBO world minimumweight champion Masataka Taniguchi in the second round.

That bout fulfilled Jerusalem’s long-time dream of becoming a world champion after falling short in his first attempt in 2017. 

He currently has 20 wins, 12 knockouts and three defeats.

Also featured in the undercard are Jerusalem’s stablemates Gabriel Santisima and his brother Alex Santisima Jr.

Gabriel Santisima, the youngest of the Santisima brothers in boxing, has a 2-0 (win-loss) record with one knockout. 

Meanwhile, Alex, is unbeaten in seven fights with two knockouts. He is the current Philippines Boxing Federation (PBF) super bantamweight champion.

Their opponents will also be announced soon. 

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