JERUSALEM READY TO RUMBLE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Jan 2017
ALA Gym fighter Melvin Jerusalem from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon will to try to wrest the WBC world minimumweight title against reigning champ Wanheng Menayothin today in Phitsanulok, Thailand.
?I?m ready, very, very much ready. We don?t suffer any setback so far here,? the 22-year old Jerusalem was quoted by Josef Ramos of The Manila Times on Tuesday. ?So far, I?m in good condition, in good spirits and I don?t see any reason not to become a world boxing champion.?
So far the only reigning Filipino world champions are WBO welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao, IBF super flyweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas, WBO bantamweight king Marlon Tapales and IBF light flyweight champion Milan Melindo. And Jerusalem would want to join the elite group.
Menayothin, 31, is more experienced as a world class fighter at 44-0-0, 17 KOs than Jerusalem who has a record of 11-0-0, 7 KOs. Menayothin will be fighting on his sixth defense of the WBC minimumweight title he won by TKO over Mexican Oswaldo Novoa in 2014.
Jerusalem will go for a knockout according to co-trainer Edito Villamor. Thailand is famous for its hometown decisions. Michael Domingo stays at the corner of "El Gringo" as chief trainer.
Villamor said Jerusalem must win impressively and should show the judges his determination to become a world champion. The ALA coaching staff head said he must get the perfect timing to score a knockout victory and must not give the Thai any chance to dominate.
Domingo said that Menayothin, whose birth name is Chayaphon Moonsri, has never faced an elite fighter in his 44 fights. He considered the decision of picking No. 9 contender Jerusalem as the next challenger because he was regarded as a lesser fighter is a big mistake for the Thai camp.
Menayothin has frustrated 18 Filipino fighters and Jerusalem would strive hard not to become one of them. They have three common foes already.
Last February, Jerusalem defeated former world champion in Florante Condes by majority decision. Menayothin also won over Condes by unanimous decision.
Crison Omayao also faced both champ and challenger, losing by unanimous decision to Menayothin and a second round TKO loss to Jerusalem. Jonathon Refugio was stopped by Menayothin in the ninth round, but went the distance with Jerusalem.
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