Filipino boxer Melvin Jerusalem in a press conference for his title defense against Luis Angel Castillo. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Wendell Alinea
MANILA, Philippines—Melvin Jerusalem’s first reign as a world champion left a bitter memory that still lingers 16 months after he yielded the WBO minimumweight title he had just won.
Still savoring his crowning moment, Jerusalem lost to Oscar Collazo in California in his very first defense just four months after claiming it with a stunning victory over Masataka Taniguchi in Osaka.
Learning invaluable lessons the hard way, Jerusalem promised to never let it happen again.
“I won’t let go of this belt,” Jerusalem told INQUIRER.net in Filipino while tapping the WBC 105-pound belt around his shoulder during a press conference at Manila Hotel.
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“I learned a lot from my last title defense. It was very painful experience. I worked so hard to win a world title and it was taken from me just like that. I’m giving everything I have this time.”
Jerusalem (22-3, 12KOs) may indeed have to lay it all out to conquer a worthy challenger in Luis Angel Castillo, a Mexican warrior who is undefeated in 22 fights.
“I feel very strong and I came here very prepared,” Castillo said through an interpreter.
Castillo, a southpaw, will enjoy a three and a half inch advantage in height and four inches in reach ahead of Sunday’s bout which headlines a stacked 14-fight card on Blow-by-Blow that also features the return of former IBF world champion Jerwin Ancajas.
READ: Melvin Jerusalem to defend WBC title vs unbeaten Mexican
The Philippines vs Mexico showdown is the first world championship bout here since Ancajas outpointed Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo for the IBF strap eight years ago in Taguig City.
Jerusalem, 30-year-old pride of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, became a two-time world champion after overcoming Yudai Shigeoka by split decision last March in Nagoya, Japan.
“I am dedicating this fight to the Philippines. I will risk everything to win,” said Jerusalem.