Jerusalem vs Collazo Clash Could Happen In 2025
WBC minimumweight champion Melvin “El Gringo” Jerusalem (24-3-1, 12 KOs) did what he had to do in a rematch win over Yudai Shigeoka. Bigger things could be looming ahead for El Gringo in the form of an eventual battle against unified champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (12-0, 9 KOs).
IN COMPLETE CONTROL
Fighting Shigeoka at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan, Shigeoka hung with Jerusalem during the first half of the contest. From round six to the final bell, it was all Jerusalem.
The 31-year-old from the Philippines dominated the action, as he outboxed the former champion. During the championship rounds, El Gringo took Shigeoka’s will. The challenger from Japan stopped competing, basically conceding defeat. In their first encounter in March 2024, two knockdowns from Jerusalem were the difference as he beat Shigeoka to win the WBC strap. This time around, it was a far different story.
WHAT COULD LIE AHEAD
Every champion wants to establish themself as the best in the division. El Gringo could get that opportunity by facing Collazo. They are undoubtedly familiar with one another.
In May 2023, Collazo stopped Jerusalem in seven rounds to win the WBO minimumweight belt. El Pupilo became a unified champion with a dominant seventh-round stoppage over Knockout CP Freshmart in November 2024. Collazo’s most recent outing was a third-round destruction over Edwin Hernandez on March 29 in Mexico.
Jerusalem is on record saying he wants a chance to avenge that loss. El Pupilo is ready to fight any champion in the division. He’s on a mission to become one of the best fighters of his era. Many pundits now rank Collazo as the division’s top champion. Jerusalem has improved since that defeat to Collazo, and his confidence is at an all-time high.
A rematch between Jerusalem and Collazo could be the top matchup in the division. The key factor might be Golden Boy, Collazo’s promoter. If they are fully invested, fans might witness the fight by the year’s end.
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