Melvin Jerusalem dominates Mexican challenger to retain WBC title

The Philippines’ Melvin Jerusalem, right, lands a punch against Mexican challenger Luis Angel Castillo during their WBC minimumweight title fight. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/WENDELL ALINEA

MANILA, Philippines—A man of few words, Melvin Jerusalem had a lot to say on Sunday—letting his fists do the talking in a resounding win over Mexican challenger Luis Angel Castillo to retain the 105-pound world title in front of a rollicking crowd at Mandaluyong City College gym.

The Filipino boxer got the nod winning by unanimous decision, 118-109, 120-107, 120-107.

Days before the bout, Castillo had guaranteed a knockout victory over Jerusalem. He also told Jerusalem to savor his remaining days as world champion and that he would be taking the WBC minimumweight belt to his home in Mexico.

READ: Mexican challenger tells Melvin Jerusalem to enjoy last days as champion

Even when provoked, Jerusalem refused to fire back.

Instead, Jerusalem sent a clear message early in the ring, unleashing a well-timed right that dropped Castillo in the opening round.

He promised to never relinquish his title and he kept his word by delivering a masterful performance against the erstwhile unbeaten Castillo, who somehow survived the punishment up to the final bell.

“I tried to knock him out but he just wouldn’t quit. He’s a Mexican fighter and there’s a reason why he’s undefeated. He’s tough,” Jerusalem said in Filipino.

The bout, which headlined Manny Pacquiao’s Blow-by-Blow, was the first world title clash held in the Philippines since Jerwin Ancajas outpointed Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo for the IBF super flyweight strap in 2016.

READ: Melvin Jerusalem banking on lessons from failed title defense

And it lived up to its billing, adding another chapter to the storied Philippines-Mexico boxing rivalry with both fighters not afraid to let their hands go from the opening bell.

It was a dream come true for Jerusalem to risk his title on home soil and he made it a memorable one with a successful title defense, which he failed to do in his first reign as world champion last year.

Jerusalem previously owned the WBO 105-pound crown when he stopped Japan’s Masataka Taniguchi in January of last year but gave it up right away in his maiden defense four months later against Puerto Rico’s Oscar Collazo.

The 30-year-old Jerusalem, who hails from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, regained world champion status last March when he edged another Japanese in Yudai Shigeoka in Nagoya.