Cocky Collazo belittles Jerusalem

Two-belt titleholder Oscar Collazo insists he is not backing away from anyone, including Filipino Melvin Jerusalem, who was left heartbroken when the Puerto Rican abandoned plans of fighting him next month in Anaheim, California.

“You don’t scare me, not even a little bit. This time it’s going to be easier for me,” said Collazo, responding to Jerusalem’s social media post that he is afraid to fight him.

Collazo will now be defending his World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association minimumweight straps against Jesus Haro on 14 March at the Honda Center.

Originally, Jerusalem, the World Boxing Council titlist, was the opponent but it was later decided that Collazo will instead defend against Haro, leaving the Bukidnon-born, Cebu-based fighter out in the cold.

Jerusalem’s supporters cried foul over the change in opponent and they protested online, saying Collazo was afraid to lose his two belts.

Collazo had beaten Jerusalem, who quit on his stool going into the eighth round in May 2023.

With Jerusalem out of the picture, another matchup is taking shape.

In the event Collazo gets past Haro, a unification with the other champion in the 105-pound, could take place.

In fact, over the weekend, current International Boxing Federation ruler Pedro Taduran’s American representative met with Collazo’s promoter in Las Vegas and discussed a unification bout.

But for it to take place, not only does Collazo have to beat Haro.

Taduran must also survive the challenge of Mexican Gustavo Perez on 3 April at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.