MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxer Melvin Jerusalem is set to make the most of his hometown advantage as he defends his World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight title against undefeated Mexican slugger Luis Angel Castillo at the Mandaluyong City College on Sunday, September 22.
The 30-year-old Jerusalem (22-3, 12 KOs) is making a mandatory defense after winning the belt and handing Yudai Shigeoka his first career loss via split decision last March 31 in Nagoya, Japan.
“The moment Melvin became champion, we knew Castillo would be the mandatory challenger, so we readied immediately,” Jerusalem’s trainer Michael Domingo said in Filipino at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday, September 17.
“We had a short vacation, then got back to training. We were able to do it well and we’re now ready for the fight.”
Although this is Castillo’s first career title shot and first fight outside his home country, the 27-year-old southpaw (21-0, 13 KOs) was nothing short of confident during the PSA Forum, quickly predicting he would prevail against the Filipino champion.
“I know this is going to be a tough fight, but I know we will emerge victorious, and I want to tell the champion here that he should enjoy his days as a world champion,” Castillo said through an interpreter.
Jerusalem took the friendly banter in stride, telling Castillo to enjoy the Philippines while he’s here and just see how the fight will turn out.
Domingo and handler JC Mananquil of Sanman Promotions accompanied Jerusalem, while Castillo was with trainer Eduardo Montiel. With them was Marife Barrera, CEO of Blow By Blow, which will air the first-ever world boxing championship to be held in the Philippines after seven years. – Rappler.com