By REYNALD MAGALLON
World Boxing Council minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem is joining Filipino title contender Mark Magsayo in bringing back the thrill and excitement of Thrilla in Manila 50 years after.
The 31-year-old pride of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon is staking his WBC strap against No.2 contender Siyakholwa Kuse of South Africa on Oct. 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Sanman Boxing promotions made the announcement on Friday, Sept. 29
It is now the second world class fight confirmed for the Thrilla in Manila 50th anniversary celebration led by MP Promotions after WBC also announced a super featherweight title eliminator fight between Magsayo and Michael Magnesi of Italy.
Boasting of a 24-3 record with 12 knockouts, Jerusalem is on his third title defense after first winning the strap via split decision victory over Yudai Shigeoka.
Jerusalem then enjoyed the hometown advantage in his first defense against the previously undefeated Mexican Luis Castillo in Manila before essaying a convincing unanimous decision win in the rematch against Shigeoka in Japan.
Although only 22-years-old and with lesser fights, Kuse is sporting an impressive 9-2-1 record with four knockouts. He is on a six-fight win streak which allowed to quickly rise through the WBC ranking and eventually earn a shot against the Filipino champion.
His latest victim, however, is a Filipino, overcoming a first round knockdown with a knockdown of his own against Filipino fighter Samuel Salva in the ninth round to secure a unanimous decision win.
