By REYNALD MAGALLON
Filipino boxing champion Melvin Jerusalem is gunning for three world titles when he runs it back against former tormentor and fellow titlist Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico on March 14 in Los Angeles, California.
At stake in the rematch between the two proud fighters are Jerusalem’s World Boxing Council minimumweight title and Collazo’s World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization straps.
Details are still being ironed out though the highly anticipated duel is brewing to be an exciting one especially following their first meeting in 2023.
Then the WBO title holder, Jerusalem suffered a stinging seventh round technical knockout defeat against Collazo. The Filipino was forced to quit on his stool after being at the receiving end of thudding body shots from the Puerto Rican.
Jerusalem has since then eyed a rematch against Collazo and, along the way, claimed the WBC strap with a win against former Japanese champion Yudai Shigeoka. The pride of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon defended his title thrice to compile a record of 25 wins, 12 by knockout, against three losses.
Collazo, on the other hand, added the WBA strap to his collection and was initially reported in talks for unification against another Filipino and International Boxing Federation champion Pedro Taduran.
The talks fell through, however, paving the way to the rematch between Jerusalem and Collazo, who remained undefeated through 13 fights — 10 of which ended by knockout.
