NEWLY-CROWNED World Boxing Council minimum weight champion Melvin Jerusalem’s ultimate goal is to unify all the belts in the division, according to his chief handler, JC Mananquil, the head of Sanman Promotions.
“We want to get all the belts in the division, including the IBF minimum weight strap held by Jinjiro Shigeoka,” Mananquil said yesterday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Mananquil’s pronouncement came two days after Jerusalem upset defending WBC minimum weight Yudai Shigeoka, decking the Japanese once each in the third and sixth rounds on the way to eking out a split decision win at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
The triumph earned the Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon native the distinction of being the country’s lone world boxing champion at present, with the promoter revealing they have bigger plans ahead for his prized ward.
Clad in a polo barong, Jerusalem, 30, said he would abide by the plans of his handlers, but added his desire to have all of the 105-pound crowns on his head.
The next most likely target, Mananquil said, is IBF title-holder Jinjiro Shigeoka, who kept his title with a second-round knockout of last-minute substitute Filipino challenger Jake Amparo also last Sunday.
“While we are eyeing a title defense for Melvin, we are also keen on seeking a unification bout with Ginjiro, which we believe will be a good fight,” the promoter said of the match that would likely be held in Japan.
