BATTLE OF FORMER WORLD TITLE CHALLENGERS: JERUSALEM TO FACE LANDERO ON 'IDOL 4'
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 12 Oct 2018
CEBU CITY ? A battle of former world title challengers will take center stage when Melvin Jerusalem takes on Toto Landero in the main event of ALA Promotions and Island Paints' 'IDOL 4' scheduled on Nov. 10 at the Minglanilla Sports Complex in Minglanilla, Cebu, this was announced during the press launching held at St. Mark's Hotel Friday.
Jerusalem, 24, (13-2-0, 8KOs) lost to undefeated Thai record holder Wanheng Menayothin (51-0-0, 18KOs) in a very close fight on Jan. 25, 2017 in Phitsanulok, Thailand for Wanheng's WBC world minimumweight crown. Had the Filipino challenger not deducted a point in the 8th round for low blow, the fight could have ended in a draw.
Landero, 22, (10-3-2, 2KOs) twice fought for a world title which he both lost. Last March 6, he challenged Thai WBA world minimumweight champion CP Freshmart in Chonburi, Thailand and lost by decision. Last July Landero went Umtata, South Africa to challenge IBO world minimumweight champion Simphiwe Knonco where he also lost by decision. Landero biggest win to date was a split decision victory over Vic Saludar, now the WBO world minimumweight champion, on June 10, 2017 in Mandaue City.
?We match Melvin [Jerusalem] against Landero because Landero is a great fighter having fought for a world title two times,? ALA Promotions matchmaker Edito Villamor told the Cebu media. ?We want to test Melvin's ability and see how far he can go. So we're going to see a great fight on Nov. 10.?
Top photo (L-R): Melvin Jerusalem, Esneth Domingo and Christian Bacolod.
Melvin Jerusalem aims to get another world title shot.
Villamor added that if Jerusalem, who is currently ranked No. 4 by the WBC, passes the test against Landero, they will aim for a rematch against Menayothin. ?We want Jerusalem to become the mandatory challenger to Menayothin to force a rematch,? Villamor said.
Jerusalem lost to Joey Canoy after the Menayothin fight but bounced back winning two in a row the last one was an impressive 8th round TKO victory against Philip Luis Cuerdo in Maasin City last June.
Jerusalem said that he has learned a lot with the Menayothin fight and if they will meet again he will know what to do. ?I know we can't win by decision in our opponent's backyard so next time I'm going to stop him,? Jerusalem said.
?This is why we are developing Melvin's power,? Jerusalem's trainer Michael Domingo told the press. ?We are improving on his timing because with the right timing, the power will come,? Domingo added who aim to test his pupil's new found skills against Landero on Nov. 10.
L-R: Trainer Michael Domingo, Island Paints' Mae Senoro, Melvin Jerusalem, Esneth Domingo, Christian Bacolod, matchmaker Edito Villamor, ALA Promotions GM Jeanna Alvarez and trainer Peter Cuizon at IDOL 4's press launching at St. Mark's Hotel in Cebu City.
In the two chief support bouts, two undefeated AL Gym boxers will try to added another W on their records.
19-year-old Esneth Domingo (10-0-0, 6KOs) of Sultan Kudarat will face Reymark Taday (9-6-1, 4KOs) of Bi?an, Laguna Domingo's first 10-round fight in the junior flyweight division. Taday previously beat Carlo Ceasar Pe?alosa, inflicting the only defeat of the promising member of the Pe?alosa clan.
Meanwhile heavy puncher Christian Bacolod (9-0-0, 7KOs) of Cebu City will face fellow undefeated Cristobal Furog (5-0-0, 2KOs) in 8 rounds junior flyweight contest. Bacolod finished his last two opponents via short route. He stopped Ryan Mapikutin in two round on Nov. 25, 2017 in Bohol and dispatched Mervin Lulu in one round last June in Tabuelan.
Island Paints Brand manager Mae Senoro also attended the Friday presscon and pledged their company's full support of the grassroots 'IDOL' series boxing program.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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