The WBC minimumweight title rematch between Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem of the Philippines and Japan’s Yudai Shigeoka is officially set, with both fighters making weight ahead of their showdown today, Sunday, at the Aichi Sky Expo in Nagoya.
Defending champion Jerusalem stepped onto the scale at 104.5 pounds, while challenger Shigeoka weighed in slightly lighter at 104.3 pounds.
Jerusalem assured his supporters he’s fully prepared to defend his title.
“I am ready to defend my belt for all my fans in the Philippines and the world. Please support me tomorrow!” he said.
At 31 years old, Jerusalem is one of only two current world champions from the Philippines, alongside IBF minimumweight titleholder Pedro Taduran—who notably defeated Shigeoka’s younger brother Ginjiro last July to claim his belt.
Jerusalem is determined to keep his WBC title and bring it home once again.
“This is my dream belt, so I will never give it up, and it will stay with me. God willing, I will retain and do everything to show a good fight, and the belt will stay with me and be brought to the Philippines,” he told BoxingScene.
“It’s a great honor for me to be one of those who brought honor to the Philippines, and I will do everything I can to keep the belt with us.”
Beyond defending his title, Jerusalem has his sights set on avenging his loss to current unified WBO-WBA champion Oscar Collazo.
“He needs to win for a bigger fight—a possible unification rematch with Collazo,” said JC Manangquil, Jerusalem’s promoter from Sanman Promotions.
The post Jerusalem, Shigeoka Make Weight for WBC Title Rematch first appeared on Fastbreak.
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