Melvin Jerusalem during an open workout ahead of his title defense against Mexico’s Luis Angel Castillo. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/WENDELL ALINEA
MANILA, Philippines—Melvin Jerusalem will have more than just his trainer Michael Domingo and a few others in his corner when he stakes his WBC minimumweight title against Mexico’s Luis Angel Castillo on Sunday.
Jerusalem will also draw much needed support from an expected packed and boisterous crowd at Mandaluyong City College gym in his first title defense.
“Having the Filipino crowd cheering for me will make a big impact. It gives me more confidence,” Jerusalem (22-3, 12KOs) told INQUIRER.net in Filipino during a press conference on Thursday at Manila Hotel.
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Jerusalem is fighting before a home crowd for the first time since October 2023 when he beat fellow Filipino Francis Jay Diaz by unanimous decision in General Santos City.
Castillo, the undefeated mandatory challenger, hasn’t fought outside Mexico but doesn’t seem bothered about facing a hostile crowd.
In fact, Castillo (21-0-1, 13KOs) sees himself thriving under such atmosphere.
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“I don’t have any problems with the climate. Climate in Manila is like Mexico. Although it’s my first fight outside Mexico and against a Filipino, I feel calm and confident that I will win,” he said through an interpreter.
“The crowd will give me extra motivation and energy knowing the crowd will be rooting against me.”
The bout, which headlines Manny Pacquiao’s Blow-by-Blow, is the first world championship fight taking place in the Philippines since 2016.