A strawweight unification bout is no longer in play but the fallout could benefit another match-up already on the schedule.
Siyakholwa Kuse and Joey Canoy are slated to meet in a WBC 105lbs title eliminator at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa on March 28. There is instead a chance that the bout could become for the title itself, depending on whether two-time titlist Melvin Jerusalem will follow through on an open declaration to leave the strawweight division.
“It’s time to move up a division,” a frustrated Jerusalem posted on his social media channels. “What do you think, boxing fans?”
Jerusalem’s claim was made just one day after it was confirmed that he was no longer in line to face long-time divisional rival and unified champion Oscar Collazo, 13-0 (10 KOs). The two were due to meet on a DAZN show from Honda Center in Anaheim, California on March 14.
However, Golden Boy instead called a last-minute audible and secured a voluntary defense for Collazo, who will next face Mexico’s Jesus Haro on the card.
Collazo previously defeated Jerusalem via stoppage after six rounds in May 2023, to end Jerusalem’s brief stay as WBO 105lbs titlist. Collazo has since added the WBA and Ring championships to his collection, while the Philippines’ Jerusalem rebounded to claim the WBC belt, which he’s successfully defended three times.
Jerusalem’s most recent win, fittingly to this development, came against Kuse, 9-3-1 (4 KOs). He outpointed the South African contender over 12 rounds atop a “Thrilla in Manila 50th anniversary” tribute show in October 2025 in Manila.
Kuse was permitted to remain in the mix and was approved for a title eliminator versus Canoy, 24-5-2 (15 KOs), a 32-year-old southpaw from General Santos City.
Canoy has won seven in a row and is riding a nine-fight unbeaten streak. His run was enough to propel him to the number-one contender slot at strawweight with the WBC, who lists Kuse as its number-two contender.
At the bare minimum, their scheduled 12-rounder will serve as an elimination contest, with the winner to become the mandatory challenger.
Should Jerusalem follow through on his threat to leave 105lbs sooner rather than later, a new titlist could be crowned immediately thereafter.
