Even as far back as December — just before everyone got caught up in the holiday celebrations — Oscar Collazo knew exactly who he was going to fight next.
It was obvious that he wasn’t hot when facing Pedro Taduran, the volume-punching International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion.
Collazo, holder of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association straps, already had made his choice in World Boxing Council ruler Melvin Jerusalem.
They are no strangers to each other.
In May 2023, Jerusalem traveled to the United States to defend the WBO jewels against Collazo.
Having only arrived on American soil ten days before the fight held at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, Jerusalem quit on his stool during the break entering the eighth round.
Jerusalem was only in the fight in the first four rounds as he faded badly starting the fifth frame.
Jet lag had a lot to do about that sad experience.
It was his first time in the US and it was clear, he was still sleep-deprived and weary come fight night.
Now that it is imminent that Collazo is going to announce that he will be doing a rematch with Jerusalem in late-March or April, Jerusalem and his camp are getting ready.
“We don’t want a repeat of that first fight,” Jerusalem said, noting that he will be setting up camp in the US at least a full month before the scheduled encounter.
“We’ve learned a lesson and we have learned from it,” he added.
Although he keeps on posting cryptic posts the past several weeks, Collazo makes it a point to refrain from naming who he prefers to face.
But about two weeks ago, Collazo dropped the ball as he engaged Jerusalem online, saying that they are going to see each other soon.
Taduran, who is already in Las Vegas training, hoping Collazo picks him, is also not lowering his guard.
“I want him. He keeps on saying that he wants to unify all the belts. So, here I am ready to face him,” Taduran said.
Signs that Taduran wasn’t his top priority showed when Jerusalem opted to skip the Christmas break and stayed in Cebu City.
“I didn’t spend Christmas. I was busy training the whole of December,” Jerusalem added.
While Jerusalem was pushing himself, Collazo was doing the same exact thing in Puerto Rico during the same time.