WBC names officials for Jerusalem defense


(FILE PHOTO) World strawweight champion Melvin Jerusalem
The World Boxing Council (WBC) has named the officials — referee, judges and fight supervisor — for next week’s third defense by Melvin Jerusalem of the strawweight crown during the Thrilla in Manila’s 50th year celebration at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Cesar Castanon of Mexico will be the third man on the ring while Samantha Bulner of Australia, Jun Bae Lim of South Korea and Zanashir Taznaa of Mongolia are the three judges.
Patrick Cusick of Australia will be the fight supervisor.
Jerusalem will headline the festivities of the Thrilla’s golden anniversary when he faces Siyakholwa Kuse of South Africa in a scheduled 12-rounder being presented by Manny Pacquiao’s Blow-By-Blow and MP Promotions.
Many of the country’s top fighters are seeing action as well in the day-long event that will be graced by personages from all over the world.
Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and former unified world super-bantamweight king Marlon Tapales are booked to meet tough foreign rivals in the undercard.
Even fast-rising Carl Jammes Martin is making an appearance while Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, whose 14-round war with Joe Frazier on 1 October 1975, remains as one of boxing’s greatest bouts ever.
Carlos “Sonny” Padilla, who refereed the Tnrilla, is arriving this Sunday and will be present during the celebrations.
Gene Kilroy, Ali’s business manager, is also arriving alongside members of Ali and Frazier’s families.