Charge to experience
Just over a week ago, Bukidnon’s Melvin Jerusalem (11-1, 7KO) saw his undefeated run came to an end after yielding to WBC World Minimumweight Wanheng Menayothin (45-0) in Thailand.
The 22-year-old gave a gallant stand against the more experienced champion. However, during the eighth round, the Filipino challenger caught a bad break after being deducted a point after an inadvertent shot to the groin which stopped the fight briefly.
Jerusalem could not hide his disappointment when he found out that he lost by a very close unanimous decision (114-113, 115-113, 114-113) in his first world title fight. In his eyes, the bout should have at least been called a draw, given the way he controled the bout.
“Siyempre masama loob kasi hindi naman tayo pumunta doon para matalo,” Jerusalem told Tiebreaker Times.
“Matatanggap ko siguro kung draw kasi hindi ko siya na-knockout.”
Though caught off guard with the champion’s antics during the middle rounds, the hard-hitting minimumweight believes that he did his best in the biggest test of his career so far. He vows to carry the experience to become a better fighter.
“Alam ko po binigay ko yung best ko. Na-distract man ako nung mid-rounds sa tingin ko po nakuha natin yung huling mga rounds,” he said.
“Sana po mabigyan tayo ulit ng chance mag-rematch.”
ALA Boxing’s head trainer Edito Villamor echoed his student’s sentiments.
“Yes, because I’m not entirely satisfied with the decision. A draw would have been more acceptable,” Villamor said. “Kung mapapanuod mo ulit yung laban, dapat panalo si Melvin or at least draw.”
And how Jerusalem reacts to the loss will either make him or break him as a prized fighter.
