Jerusalem shrugs off age disparity
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 29 Oct 2025
WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem isn’t worried that South African challenger Siyakholwa Kuse is nine years younger because in his view, experience is more an advantage than age. Manny Pacquiao was 46 when he fought Mario Barrios, 16 years younger, last July and deserved to win so the age difference wasn’t a factor.
Kuse, 22, turned pro in 2018 when Jerusalem was 24 and had logged 15 bouts. They face off in the main event of the “Thrilla In Manila” Golden Anniversary card at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tomorrow. It’s Kuse’s first assignment outside of South Africa but fighting on hostile soil doesn’t seem to bother him. Kuse has predicted he’ll either knock out Jerusalem or beat him convincingly to win by decision. He knows it’s a chance of a lifetime and winning a WBC title in front of WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman will be an incredible boost to his career.
No doubt, experience is on Jerusalem’s side. His record is 24-3, with 12 KOs while Kuse’s record is 9-2-1, with four KOs. In total fights, Jerusalem has had 27 and Kuse, 12. It’ll be Jerusalem’s third title defense. Both are 5-2 so height isn’t an issue. Kuse is a southpaw and Jerusalem, a right-hander. Battling a lefty shouldn’t be a problem for Jerusalem. In his first defense last year, Jerusalem decked Mexican southpaw Luis Castillo in the first round and breezed to a dominant win on points.
Kuse has lost twice by decision. Jerusalem lost twice on points and a third setbacl was inflicted by WBA/WBO minimumweight titlist Oscar Collazo on a seventh round stoppage in Indio, California, in 2023. Jerusalem said the loss to Collazo was a fluke and blamed it on jet lag. He surrendered on his stool, weakened by lack of sleep and his inability to adjust to the US time zone. A rematch with Collazo to unify the WBA, WBO and WBC titles looms in the horizon but Jerusalem said he's not thinking beyond Kuse.
Jerusalem said he’s well-armed not to disappoint the hometown fans. “Malaki ang agwat ng edad pero tayo ang champion at prime ko ngayon kaya abangan na lang natin sa taas ng ring at doon natin gagawin ang best,” he added. Since turning pro in 2014, Jerusalem has never experienced weight difficulties. He was heaviest at 111 in 2016, scoring a six-round decision over Felix Marfa. Jerusalem has won his last four outings, 13 of his last 14 and intends to extend his streak.
Kuse has won his last six fights, including a 10-round verdict over Filipino one-time IBF minimumweight title challenger Samuel Salva. He’s the reigning WBC Silver minimumweight champion and rated No. 2 by WBC.
Photo: WBC champ Melvin Jerusalem poses after Tuesday's weighin ahead of his Thrilla in Manila battle against Siyakholwa Kuse of South Africa today, Wednesday, Oct. 29 in Manila.
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