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:
TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
Thu, 19 Feb 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
Thu, 19 Feb 2026BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL
Thu, 19 Feb 202675 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today
Thu, 19 Feb 20264 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Thu, 19 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
Wed, 18 Feb 2026A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 18 Feb 2026PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 18 Feb 2026ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
Wed, 18 Feb 2026CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
Wed, 18 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
Wed, 18 Feb 2026Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 18 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
By Eric Armit, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 17 Feb 2026All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 17 Feb 2026