Cheyenne Suarez

Boxing: Jerusalem retains title vs Kuse in 'Thrilla in Manila 2'

Article (news)

jerusalemoic

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Mission accomplished for Filipino boxer Melvin Jerusalem after successfully defending his WBC Minimumweight title at the &quot;Thrilla in Manila 2&quot; main event early Thursday morning.Jerusalem retained his WBC crown via unanimous decision victory against South African challenger Siyakholwa Kuse.The 31-year-old Filipino took his time to figure out an aggressive Kuse, with both boxers exchanging blows in the 12 rounds. Kuse managed to stand his ground against Jerusalem, leaving the decision up to the judges at the final bell.The Filipino boxer won in all judges&#x27; score cards: 115-113 for two and 116-112 for one.&quot;Yung laban natin sobrang tibay talaga. Kasi ‘yung kalaban natin taga-South Africa. May chance siya maging world champion next. Nung early round parang nahirapan talaga ako. ‘Yung adjustment namin ni coach, sabi niya, matibay ‘yung kalaban kaya puntusan natin,&quot; he said.Jerusalem said he is thankful he got his wish to compete in the Thrilla in Manila 50th anniversary event at The Big Dome.&quot;Sobrang laking pasasalamat ko talaga kasi hindi ko inaasahan ako yung magiging, lalaban sa 50th anniversary ng Thrilla in Manila at dito pa ginanap sa atin sa Pilipinas mismo,&quot; he said.Asked what&#x27;s next for him, Jerusalem said he eyes bouts against Pedro Taduran and Puerto Rico&#x27;s champion Oscar Collazo.Earlier, Filipino boxing prospect Carl Jammes Martin extended his undefeated streak after beating Thailand&#x27;s Aran Dipaen via unanimous decision.Martin showed his resolve after a third round knockdown, flooring Dipaen in the ninth round of the bout. The pride of Ifugao won all three judges&#x27; score cards to get the win.&quot;Masaya pa rin po ako naprotektahan ko ‘yung undefeated record ko. Napasaya ko ‘yung mga kababayan natin na nandito at advantage po ‘yung home court,&quot; he said.&quot;Hindi pa rin ako kumpiyansa pero andun na rin, andun ‘yung part na ‘yun. Nag-iingat pa rin po ako kahit lamang ako sa scorecard,&quot; Martin added.Former unified champion Marlon Tapales emerged victorious after a sixth round knockout over Venezuelan Fernando Toro. Tapales landed a solid blow to tame Toro, forcing the referee to stop the match at the 2:31 mark when the latter failed to make the 10-count.&quot;Ginawa ko po ‘yung plano ko kasi isa din ito sa pinapangarap ko na laban, historic na laban ito. Opo malaking tulong din po ‘yun [cheers ng tao] para sa morale ko,&quot; he shared.Tapales eyes a world title bout after moving up 41-4, while Toro drops to 11-3.Berland Robles fell to Arvin Magramo via split decision for the WBC International Light Flyweight title, losing due to a one-point deduction.Magramo handed Robles his first professional loss with 12 wins and a lone draw.As for the WBC International Flyweight title, it remains vacant after Albert Francisco and Ramel Macado Jr. battled to a majority draw.

Mission accomplished for Filipino boxer Melvin Jerusalem after successfully defending his WBC Minimumweight title at the "Thrilla in Manila 2" main event early Thursday morning.

Mission accomplished for Filipino boxer Melvin Jerusalem after successfully defending his WBC Minimumweight title at the "Thrilla in Manila 2" main event early Thursday morning.