Jerusalem gets WBO pressure

The World Boxing Organization is determined to compel Melvin Jerusalem to make a compulsory defense of the minimumweight crown against mandatory challenger Puerto Rican Oscar Collazo.

Since both sides failed to come up with a deal, the WBO is holding a purse bid on 23 February so the fight can proceed.

Interested parties registered with the Puerto Rico-based WB are required to submit a minimum bid of $80,000.

Under the rules, being the champion, Jerusalem is guaranteed a 75/25 split on the winning amount.

Jerusalem had won the WBO 105-lb belt with a second-round knockout of Masataka Taniguchi on 6 January in Osaka.

Collazo, a southpaw, earned the status of mandatory challenger after scoring a knockout win over Yudel Reyes of Mexico three weeks ago in their title elimination fight in the United States.

Kameda Promotions of Japan represents Jerusalem while the Oscar de la Hoya-owned Golden Boy Promotions in partnership with Promociones Miguel Cotto.

Jerusalem, holder of a 20-2 record with 12 knockouts, is the lone Filipino world champion at the moment.

Collazo has a 6-0 mark with four knockouts and will enter his country's boxing books by becoming the first Puerto Rican to bag a world title in the fewest number of bouts.

One of Collazo's victims is ex-Filipino world champion Vic Saludar.