Philippines boxing star and current World Boxing Council (WBC) minimum weight champion Melvin Jerusalem delivered a masterful performance to successfully defend his title, defeating Mexican challenger Luis Castillo in the main event of Manny Pacquiao MP’s Blow-by-Blow event at the Mandaluyong City College Gym on Sunday, September 22. This victory not only solidifies Jerusalem’s standing as one of the country’s top boxing talents but also adds to the legacy of Filipino boxer dominance in the sport.
🇵🇭JERUSALEM DEFENDS TITLE
— Tokkerū (@ATokkers5) September 22, 2024
Melvin Jerusalem successfully defends his WBC Minimumweight Championship against previously unbeaten Mexican Luis Castillo, scoring a 120-107x2, 118-109 UD.
Jerusalem dropped Castillo in round 1 and was dominant throughout pic.twitter.com/DovdiRrmcx
From the opening bell, Jerusalem made it clear that he was the more skilled and prepared fighter. He took control of the fight early on, setting the tone with a strong, aggressive strategy. The Filipino champion’s precision and power were on full display as he connected with a brutal right punch to Castillo’s jaw in the first round, sending the Mexican challenger crashing to the canvas. This early knockdown was a critical moment that gave Jerusalem momentum and control over the fight.
As the fight progressed, Jerusalem continued to assert his dominance. The second and third rounds were more of the same, with the Bukidnon native applying relentless pressure, landing more punches, and keeping Castillo on the back foot. While the Mexican tried to rally in the fourth round, Jerusalem’s superior technical skills, footwork, and ability to read his opponent allowed him to neutralize Castillo’s attacks.
The judges’ final verdict was unanimous, with all three scoring the fight heavily in favor of Jerusalem: 120-107, 120-107, and 118-109. These scores reflect how one-sided the fight was, with Jerusalem outclassing Castillo in nearly every aspect of the bout. Despite Castillo's attempts to fight back, he was no match for the Filipino champion’s relentless aggression and accuracy.
For Melvin Jerusalem, this victory was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. After the fight, he expressed his joy and gratitude for finally defending the WBC minimum weight title that he had worked so hard to win.
“This is my dream belt since 2017, and here it is, and I finally defended my title. There are a lot of rounds where my punches landed on him, but he just brushed it off. The Mexican is really tough. I was confident to win in the last round because I threw more punches and was more aggressive,” Jerusalem said in his post-fight interview.
Jerusalem’s path to success has not been an easy one. His boxing journey began in the small town of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon, where he trained tirelessly under challenging conditions. His dedication to the sport and determination to rise above adversity has paid off, as he now stands as a world champion representing the Philippines on the global stage.
Jerusalem’s victory over Luis Castillo is significant for several reasons. First and foremost, it was his 23rd win in professional boxing, including 12 victories by knockout. Even more impressive is that this fight handed Castillo the first loss of his career. Before this bout, Castillo had an undefeated record, making Jerusalem’s triumph even more noteworthy.
This win also marked Jerusalem’s first successful title defense of his WBC minimum weight belt, which he won earlier in 2023 by defeating Japanese fighter Yudai Shigeoka in a hard-fought split decision victory in Tokyo, Japan. Defending a title is often seen as a true test of a champion’s skill and mental fortitude, and Jerusalem passed this test with flying colors.
This victory was a stark contrast to Jerusalem’s previous experience defending a title. In 2023, he lost his World Boxing Organization (WBO) mini flyweight title in a heartbreaking defeat. That loss, however, only served to fuel his determination to come back stronger. With this latest victory, Jerusalem has shown that he has matured as a fighter, both mentally and physically.
Jerusalem’s trainer, Michael Domingo, who is also the head coach at ZIP-Sanman Boxing, was full of praise for his fighter’s performance. According to Domingo, Jerusalem’s growth as a boxer has been remarkable, and his performance against Castillo was his most impressive to date.
“He was well-conditioned. This was his most impressive performance I have seen. He has already matured with how he picks and throws his punches,” Domingo said in a post-fight interview.
The chemistry between Jerusalem and Domingo has been a key factor in the fighter’s success. Under Domingo’s guidance, Jerusalem has refined his technique, improved his endurance, and developed a greater understanding of ring strategy. This partnership has been instrumental in Jerusalem’s rise to the top of the minimum weight division.
With this victory, the future looks bright for Melvin Jerusalem. The Filipino champion now holds an impressive record and has successfully defended his WBC minimum weight title. This win opens the door for bigger and more lucrative fights in the future, possibly against other top contenders in the division or even a unification bout against champions from other boxing organizations.
Jerusalem’s performance has also caught the attention of boxing fans and analysts around the world. His technical skills, power, and relentless fighting style make him a force to be reckoned with in the minimum weight division. Many are now eagerly awaiting his next fight, wondering who will step up to challenge the reigning champion.
For now, Jerusalem can take pride in the fact that he has cemented his place as one of the top boxers in the Philippines, following in the footsteps of legends like Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire. His victory over Castillo is a testament to his hard work, discipline, and unwavering determination to succeed.
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