WBC champion Melvin Jerusalem seeks redemption in high-stakes rematch against WBO champ Oscar Collazo

Melvin Jerusalem has firmly cemented his place among the Philippines’ boxing elite, amassing multiple professional honors and currently holding the prestigious World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight championship. The 31-year-old southpaw continues to captivate fans and boxing pundits alike with his combination of skill, discipline, and relentless determination inside the ring.

Jerusalem’s most recent triumph came on October 29, 2025, at the iconic Araneta Coliseum, during the 50th anniversary celebration of the legendary Thrilla in Manila. Facing South African contender Siyakholwa Kuse, Jerusalem delivered a commanding performance in front of a roaring home crowd. Using his signature counterpunching and footwork, he dominated the bout from the opening bell, ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory and successfully defending his WBC minimumweight title.

The victory over Kuse capped off a remarkable 2025 for Jerusalem, who began the year by defeating Japan’s Yudai Shigeoka via unanimous decision in an earlier title defense. With back-to-back successful defenses, the Filipino southpaw has reinforced his reputation as one of the top fighters in the division and a true standard-bearer for Philippine boxing on the global stage.

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With those victories behind him, Jerusalem now turns his focus to one of the most highly anticipated matchups in the minimumweight division: a rematch against World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico. This bout, which carries the promise of a unified title, is scheduled for March 14 in the Greater Los Angeles area, with the exact venue yet to be finalized. The rematch is generating significant buzz among boxing fans worldwide, particularly in the Philippines, where Jerusalem enjoys a passionate following.

In preparation for the bout, Jerusalem and his chief trainer Michael Domingo will fly to the United States this Sunday, February 15, to acclimatize to local conditions. The team has secured a training base in Los Angeles, strategically located near the renowned Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, where legendary coach Freddie Roach has trained some of boxing’s biggest names.

📅 Strawweight rematch locked in!
Oscar Collazo and Melvin Jerusalem are set to run it back on March 14 in Southern California 🥊🔥

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Two of the best at 105 — who’s your pick this time? 💬🔥 pic.twitter.com/MJFESQoRaf

— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) February 11, 2026

“No excuses. We will be training there at Wild Card, which is near the place we will be staying at,” Jerusalem said during a media interaction, signaling his focus and readiness to face Collazo.

The upcoming rematch carries added weight, as their first meeting in May 2023 at Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, California, saw Collazo emerge victorious via stoppage after six rounds to claim the WBO minimumweight title. That defeat still serves as motivation for Jerusalem, who has spent the past two years refining his technique, strategy, and conditioning with the goal of reversing the outcome.

Collazo, meanwhile, is equally determined. Beyond defending his title, he aims to unify the division and demonstrate that fighters in the lighter weight classes can deliver high-level, entertaining boxing.

“That’s the message I want to bring to the lower weight classes. I want people to watch me and know that as long as we keep succeeding, we can bring the big money to these weights. Also that whenever we fight, you are going to see a high level of boxing. That’s what I want, for the world to see what we got to offer,” Collazo said.

For Jerusalem, the stakes are enormous. A win would not only avenge his previous loss but also make him a unified champion — a feat that would further cement his legacy among the Philippines’ boxing greats. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Jerusalem’s improved tactics, reinforced mental toughness, and championship experience will be enough to overcome Collazo’s proven skill and power.

As the countdown to March 14 begins, both fighters are in the final stages of preparation, each aware that the bout could define their careers and set a new standard for the minimumweight division. With Jerusalem’s meticulous training regimen, homegrown determination, and the Philippine public firmly behind him, the rematch promises to be one of the most exciting and closely watched fights in recent boxing history.

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