Melvin Jerusalem not content despite dazzling victory

The Philippines’ Melvin Jerusalem, the WBC minimumweight world champion, attacks Mexico’s Luis Angel Castillo during their title fight in Mandaluyong City.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/WENDELL ALINEA

MANILA, Philippines–In what could be deemed his best performance yet, Melvin Jerusalem felt there’s still much to be desired despite delivering a masterful title defense on Sunday.

Buoyed by a raucous home crowd, Jerusalem outclassed Mexican challenger Luis Angel Castillo to retain the WBC minimumweight title.

“I’m not satisfied,” said Jerusalem in Filipino when asked to rate his performance. “I still have a lot to improve on because I was still getting hit earlier.”

READ: Melvin Jerusalem eyes redemption, unification vs Oscar Collazo

Jerusalem set the tone early, landing a well-timed right that decked Castillo in the opening round.

And while Castillo survived and managed to go the distance, the bout was one-sided with Jerusalem never threatened throughout the fight. Two judges saw it as a shutout at 120-107 while the other scored it, 118-109.

“I wasn’t expecting that to happen,” Jerusalem said of the knockdown. “Coach Michael (Domingo) and I just did our best during training and prepared well for the fight.”

READ: Melvin Jerusalem dominates Mexican challenger to retain WBC title

The 30-year-old Jerusalem said he did all he could to score a knockout but admitted Castillo was tough-as-nails and just wouldn’t quit.

“I gave my all. There were several rounds where I hit him with solid punches but he’s tough. I was also being careful. I didn’t want to be in a rush.”

Jerusalem, who improved to 23-3 with 12 knockouts and dealt Castillo his first defeat, targets a rematch and unification fight against WBO titleholder Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico that could take place early next year. Collazo took the WBO crown from Jerusalem in May of last year.