Melvin Jerusalem will be making his next title defense in a rematch; just not the one people had expected.
The 32-year-old Filipino fighter will make the fourth defense of his WBC strawweight title on May 16 against Siyakholwa Kuse in a rematch of their fight last October in the Philippines. This time, the fight will take place on Kuse’s home soil at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg, South Africa. It’s a risky proposition for Jerusalem, though promoter Jim Claude Manangquil of Sanman Promotions tells BoxingScene that the contract calls for the judges and referee to come from neutral countries, while Jerusalem will arrive 20 days before the fight to acclimate to the nearly 6,000 foot elevation in South Africa.
“We talked with Kuse’s team Golden Gloves and requested our terms like getting there very early. They were happy to give us all so we are quick to get a deal,” said Manangquil.
“It’s always a risk but Melvin is used to this. He also thought he will do a lot better than when he beat Kuse the first time.”
Jerusalem, who spoke with BoxingScene on a phone call as he celebrated the news with a 30-kilometer (or 18.5 mile) run through his hometown of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon province in the Philippines. Jerusalem says he’s disappointed that his unification fight with WBO/WBA champion Oscar Collazo was canceled - a casualty of the Jaron Ennis-Vergil Ortiz Jnr fight being shelved due to litigation - as it would have given him a chance to avenge his seventh round stoppage loss to the unbeaten Puerto Rican three years ago. Jerusalem says there’s still something to prove in the rematch with Kuse, 9-3-1 (4 KOs),
“I did not give the best in my last fight. This time I will give African fans a good fight to defend my belt,” said Jerusalem, 25-3 (12 KOs).
“That time I’m sleepy, the time in my last fight was almost 2 a.m. in the morning but it’s no excuses because we know we will fight in the main event.”
Jerusalem adds that he began warming up for that fight at 7 p.m., expecting to enter the ring at 8 p.m., but the fight was postponed for nearly six hours due the late arrival of VIPs.
Despite the promise of neutral officials, Jerusalem says he isn’t planning on leaving the result in the hands of the judges, knowing that he won’t be the local favorite that night.
“This time it’s in my opponent’s hometown so I will do my best to knock out my opponent because if I finish the rounds maybe the decision will be for my opponent,” said Jerusalem, who reports to training camp at the end of this week in Cebu City, Philippines.
Jerusalem has fought five times outside of the Philippines, going 3-2 in those fights, including both of his world title winning victories in Japan.
