Back in March Filipino fighter
Melvin Jerusalem (22-3, 12) became a 2-time world champion as he travelled to Japan and dethroned Yudai Shigeoka of the WBC Minimumweight, courtesy of a split decision in Nagoya.
Over the last 12 hours it’s been reported that Jerusalem will now make his first defense of the WBC title on September 22nd in the Philippines, as he takes on unbeaten Mexican challenger
Luis Castillo (21-0-1, 13).
The champion, who is 20 and has been on the pro scene for over a decade now, has cemented his place as one of the best in the division over the last 7 or so years, when he gave the then unbeaten Wanheng Menayothin a really close bout in Thailand. During his 25 fight career he has scored notable wins not only over Shigeoka but also Florante Condes, Toto Landero and
Masataka Taniguchi, who he beat for the WBO title in 2023.
As for Castillo the Mexican is set for the biggest fight of his career. The 27 year old from Sinaloa is riding a 15 fight winning run since a 2017 draw with Angel Guevara whilst many of those wins are against very low level opponents he does have a 2018 win over former world champion Mario Rodriguez as well as more recent wins against Abraham Rodriguez and Miguel Angel Herrera. Most notably however this will be his first bout outside of Mexico.
