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:
Twin wins for Pinoy boxers
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 05 Apr 2026NM Buto spearheads Goldland Chess Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 05 Apr 2026Andreas Cortes vs Eridson Garcia Tops Paramount Plus Card
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 05 Apr 2026Chris "Sandman" Thomas Back in the Win Column
Sun, 05 Apr 2026Taduran Stops Pérez in 7, and “Still” IBF 105 Champion
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 04 Apr 2026Pedro Taduran Scores Sensational Stoppage Over Gustavo PÉRez ÁLvarez in IBF Minimumweight World Championship Main Event
Sat, 04 Apr 2026BROWN STOPS DUCAR TO LAND FIRST PRO TITLES
Sat, 04 Apr 2026Guy Jutras, a gentleman and pilgrim of world boxing, passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 04 Apr 2026GM Joey Antonio keeps Philippine flag alive, posts hard-earned win in Canberra chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 04 Apr 2026TWO WORLD TITLE FIGHTS CONFIRMED FOR ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ UNDERCARD
Sat, 04 Apr 2026MANSOUR AND BALLO MAKE WAVES WITH UNPRECEDENTED OPEN WORKOUT ABOARD CITY CRUISES ADMIRAL HORNBLOWER AHEAD OF SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS
Sat, 04 Apr 2026Rookie Kon Knueppel breaks Charlotte Hornets three points record
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 04 Apr 2026IBA extends its global reach through a strategic partnership with Nomad Fighting premiering at IBA Nomad 14
Sat, 04 Apr 2026GM Laylo leads in Bundesliga 3 and in IIEE chess Olympiad season 8
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 04 Apr 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS TADURAN VS. PEREZ WEIGH-IN RESULTS
Fri, 03 Apr 2026