“BE patient and never give up.”
Former world title contender Melvin Jerusalem posted this saying on his Facebook wall, days before his fight in the ‘Sanman Bubble VIII’ scheduled in General Santos City on February 26.
The 27-year-old Jerusalem from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon is not taking any chances in his non-title bout with Ramel Antaran to keep him busy while waiting for another world championship fight to come his way.
“Walay kumpyansa akong paningkamotan nga mag madaugon,” said Jerusalem, whose eight-round duke-out with Antaran for the 105-pound class will serve as the major undercard of the 10-round flyweight tussle between the rising Esneth Domingo (15-1) and ex-WBO Oriental Light flyweight champion Jesse Espinas (20-4).
The reigning Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) titlist Jerusalem has been ranked No.1 challenger in the World Boxing Organization’s minimum weight division.
He is also rated No.2 contender in the World Boxing Council (WBC), No. 3 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF), and ranked No. 6 in the World Boxing Association (WBA).
In his preparation, Jerusalem sparred with former World Boxing Association champion Randy Petalcorin and top Philippine boxer Joey Maderal Canoy.
“Isa sa mga nagpahirap sa akin sa boxing ngayon ka teammate ko na sa SanMan. Thank you pre Joey sa magandang sparring,” Jerusalem said of Canoy.
Filipino boxing fans, many of them, believe that with the right break Jerusalem will finally succeed.
“Buotan ni nga bata..dako kaayo ni’g future sa iyang division,” said Jay Buot, one of his avid fans from Cagayan de Oro.
Jerusalem fell short in his first world title fight in 2017 against Wenhang Menayothin of Thailand for the WBC world minimumweight belt, losing via unanimous decision.
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