Jerusalem turns up heat in Nagoya

Melvin Jerusalem backed off when asked if a knockout is on the agenda when he defends the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight crown against Yudai Shigeoka in a rematch on 30 March in Nagoya, Japan.

The Filipino champion, who beat Shigeoka almost on the same date last year and in Nagoya as well to bag the WBC 105-ln strap, gave an answer reminiscent of those delivered during beauty contests or talk shows.

“We’ll just do my best in training and I believe a knockout win will come at the right time,” the Bukidnon-born fighter told DAILY TRIBUNE on Monday from Nagoya where he will spend the next two weeks doing conditioning training and a little bit of sparring.

Jerusalem arrived in Nagoya last week and he is expected to finish his buildup in Cebu City under Michael Domingo before heading back to Nagoya.

Last time he was in action, Jerusalem outclassed Mexican mandatory challenger Luis Castillo in Manila last September.

Though he seemed to have improved a lot since winning the WBC plum, Jerusalem isn’t taking any chances against Shigeoka in their second meeting.

Shigeoka is also pushing himself in training.

In fact, he spent two weeks working out at the Elorde Sports Center before leaving for the Japan end of his preparation for Jerusalem.