As unification talks start, Jerusalem begins roadwork

Just five days after retaining the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight crown, Melvin Jerusalem hit the streets on Friday doing roadwork.

“I started jogging so that I don’t gain a lot of weight,” Jerusalem told DAILY TRIBUNE.

Last Sunday in Tokoname, Japan, the Filipino champion scored a lopsided 12-round decision over Yudai Shigeoka for the second defense of the WBC 105-pound title.

Jerusalem is still in Japan taking a break but as soon as he returns to Cebu City, he will gradually commence training with lead trainer Michael Domingo following reports that a unification clash with Puerto Rican Oscar Collazo is being discussed.

Collazo holds the World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association belts and is very vocal about facing Jerusalem in his quest to win all the straps in the division.

The International Boxing Federation championship is currently being held by Pedro Taduran, who is scheduled to defend for the first time against Yudai’s brother Ginjiro on 24 May in Osaka.

He and Jerusalem are the country’s only reigning world boxing champions.