Melvin’s foe arrives tonight
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 14 Sep 2024
Melvin Jerusalem.
Unbeaten challenger Luis Castillo arrives from Mexico via Narita tonight and is expected to go all-out to dethrone WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem who’s making his first defense in the main event of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao’s “Blow By Blow” series at the Mandaluyong City College gym on Sept. 22.
Castillo, 27, is flying in with trainer Eduardo Montiel, Adriana Penuelas and boxer Angel Francisco Sandoval who takes on Marsolo Pandian in a six-rounder on the Mandaluyong undercard. Montiel’s brother Fernando is a former world flyweight, superflyweight and bantamweight champion. The team will be billeted at the Richmonde Hotel Ortigas in Pasig.
Jerusalem, 30, is coming to Manila with trainer Michael Domingo from Cebu tomorrow. He trained for Castillo at the Zip Gym in Cebu, working with sparmates Mark Vicelles, Ramel Macado, Richardo (Bado) Laspona, Sugarey Leonard Pores and Kiyoto Narukami. A former WBO minimumweight titlist, Jerusalem wrested the WBC crown from Yudai Shigeoka via a split 12-round decision in Nagoya last March.
Pacquiao revived “Blow by Blow,” the TV series that launched his boxing career, in November 2022 after a six-year hiatus. Since its revival, “Blow By Blow” has rolled out 18 cards in venues all over the country, including General Santos City, Pasi (Iloilo), Cantilan (Surigao del Sur), Narvacan (Ilocos Sur), Imus (Cavite) and around Metro Manila. Pacquiao said it’s his way to give back to the sport and lay out a platform to discover the next Filipino world champions.
Castillo, nicknamed Flechita (small arrow), is a southpaw fighting for his first title in his first bout outside of Mexico with a 21-0-1 record, including 13 KOs. The WBC No. 1 contender has a 3 1/2 inch height and four-inch reach advantage over Jerusalem who totes a 22-3 record, with 12 KOs.
Domingo said he has studied Castillo’s style through videos. “Style niya ‘di naman fighter at ‘di masyadong stylist, tama lang,” he said. “Pag may chance, why not patulugin natin?” Promoter JC Manangquil, who handles Jerusalem's affairs with managers Nobuyuki Matsuura and wife Mhavic, said the fight will be slam-bang. “Melvin had a good camp with tall southpaws like Castillo,” he said. “Castillo can box, brawl and will give a tough fight so fans should be excited.” Mandaluyong Mayor Ben Abalos, who celebrates his 90th birthday on the eve of the bout, is hosting the event.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Llover vows comeback
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 08 Jun 2026Banawa, rules National Age Group Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 08 Jun 2026Saludar arrives in Japan to fight on June 10
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Eala wins her 2nd WTA title at Lexus Birmingham Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Mindoro beats Mexican, stays undefeated
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Panamanian Government, Roberto "Hands of Stone" Durán, and the Mexican Márquez Brothers Join Forces for Amateur Boxing Megaproject
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Alex Eala advances to Birmingham Open finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Santé Barley Trilogy Run Asia 2026 Davao Leg 2
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Casimero stops Nery in 4th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Edward Vazquez keeps title hopes alive by winning razor-thin unanimous decision over Daniel Lugo in Main Event of ProBoxTV
Sat, 06 Jun 2026LABAN PILIPINAS! Kenneth Llover Ready to KO His Way to a World Title Shot
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Nery Does It Again: Overweight, But Casimero Says Let’s Fight!
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Undefeated Gabriela Tellez to Challenge Elif Nur Turhan for IBF Lightweight World Title June 13 in Glendale, AZ
Sat, 06 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS, FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER FOR PADLEY VS FIAZ – LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 06 Jun 2026Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr.: From a Champion’s Son to Heavyweight Headliner
Sat, 06 Jun 2026