{"id":167232,"date":"2025-10-24T11:16:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T17:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/?p=167232"},"modified":"2025-10-24T15:05:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T21:05:11","slug":"wbc-special-preview-melvin-jerusalem-vs-siyakholwa-kuse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wbc-special-preview-melvin-jerusalem-vs-siyakholwa-kuse\/","title":{"rendered":"WBC Special Preview: MELVIN JERUSALEM vs. SIYAKHOLWA KUSE"},"content":{"rendered":"

WBC Special Preview: MELVIN JERUSALEM vs. SIYAKHOLWA KUSE<\/strong><\/h2>\n

WBC STATISTICS
\nWBC Strawweight World Championship
\nOctober 29, 2025 \/ Quezon City, Philippines \/ Araneta Coliseum<\/p>\n

MP PROMOTIONS PRESENTS:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

MELVIN JERUSALEM (Philippines)<\/strong>
\n\u00b7 WBC Strawweight World Champion, 3rd Title Defense
\n\u00b7 Former Oriental & Pacific Boxing Federation Strawweight Champion
\nAge: 31 \/ Date of birth: February 22, 1994
\nResidence, birthplace: Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Philippines
\nRecord: 24-3, 12 KOs \/ Total rounds: 172 \/ World championship fights: 4-2, 1 KO
\nHeight: 5\u20192\u201d \u2013 157cm \/ Reach: 62\u201d \u2013 157cm \/ Stance: Right-handed<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

SIYAKHOLWA KUSE (South Africa)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00b7 Ranked WBC No. 2 at Strawweight
\n\u00b7 WBC Silver Strawweight Champion
\nAge: 22 \/ Date of birth: July 13, 2003
\nResidence, birthplace: Eastern Cape, South Africa
\nRecord: 9-2-1, 4 KOs \/ Total rounds: 95
\nHeight: 5\u20192\u201d \u2013 157cm \/ Stance: Left-handed<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

WBC STRAWWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Hiroki Ioka (Japan) 1987 \u2013 1988
\n2. Napa Kiatwanchai (Thailand) 1988 \u2013 1989
\n3. Jeum-Hwang Choi (Korea) 1989 \u2013 1990
\n4. Hideyuki Ohashi (Japan) 1990
\n5. Ricardo Lopez (Mexico) 1990 \u2013 1998
\n6. Wandee Chor Chareon (Thailand) 1998 \u2013 2000
\n7. Jose Antonio Aguirre (Mexico) 2000 \u2013 2004
\n8. Eagle Kyowa (Japan) 2004
\n9. Isaac Bustos (Mexico) 2004 \u2013 2005
\n10. Katsunari Takayama (Japan) 2005
\n11. Eagle Kyowa (Japan) * 2005 \u2013 2007
\n12. Juan Palacios (Nicaragua) Interim 2008
\n13. Oleydong Sithsamerchai (Thailand) 2008 \u2013 2011
\n14. Kazuto Ioka (Japan) 2011 \u2013 2012
\n15. Xiong Zhao Zhong (China) 2013 \u2013 2014
\n16. Osvaldo Novoa (Mexico) 2014
\n17. Wanheng Menayothin (Thailand) 2014 \u2013 2020
\n18. Panya Pradabsri (Thailand) 2020 \u2013 2023
\n19. Yudai Shigeoka (Japan) 2023 \u2013 2024
\n20. Melvin Jerusalem (Philippines) 2024 \u2013
\n* Regained<\/strong><\/p>\n

WBC TOP TEN<\/strong>
\n1. Ricardo Lopez (Mexico)
\n2. Oleydong Sithsamerchai (Thailand)
\n3. Wanheng Menayothin (Thailand)
\n4. Hideyuki Ohashi (Japan)
\n5. Eagle Kyowa (Japan)
\n6. Wandee Chor Chareon (Thailand)
\n7. Jose Antonio Aguirre (Mexico)
\n8. Hiroki Ioka (Japan)
\n9. Napa Kiatwanchai (Thailand)
\n10. Kazuto Ioka (Japan)<\/p>\n

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE STRAWWEIGHT DIVISION IN WBC HISTORY<\/strong>
\n19 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of whom only one has regained the title: Eagle Kyowa (Japan).<\/p>\n

88 strawweight world championship bouts have been held in WBC history.
\nRicardo \u201cFinito\u201d Lopez of Mexico holds the division record for successful title defenses with 21.<\/p>\n

MEMORABLE WBC STRAWWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mar. 30, 2025 Melvin Jerusalem W12 Yudai Shigeoka \u2013 Tokoname, Japan
\nSept. 22, 2024 Melvin Jerusalem W12 Luis Castillo \u2013 Mandaluyong City, Philippines
\nMar. 31, 2024 Melvin Jerusalem W12 Yudai Shigeoka \u2013 Nagoya, Japan
\nOct. 7, 2023 Yudai Shigeoka W12 Panya Pradabsri \u2013 Tokyo, Japan
\nJune 28, 2023 Panya Pradabsri TKO8 Norihito Tanaka \u2013 Rayong, Thailand
\nAug. 31, 2022 Panya Pradabsri W12 Norihito Tanaka \u2013 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
\nMar. 29, 2022 Panya Pradabsri W12 Wanheng Menayothin \u2013 Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
\nNov. 2, 2021 Panya Pradabsri W12 Danai Ngiabphukhiaw \u2013 Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
\nNov. 27, 2020 Panya Pradabsri W12 Wanheng Menayothin \u2013 Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
\nOct. 25, 2019 Wanheng Menayothin W12 Simpiwe Konko \u2013 Chonburi, Thailand
\nMay 31, 2019 Wanheng Menayothin TW8 Tatsuya Fukuhara \u2013 Chachoengsao, Thailand
\nAug. 29, 2018 Wanheng Menayothin W12 Pedro Taduran \u2013 Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
\nNov. 25, 2017 Wanheng Menayothin W12 Tatsuya Fukuhara \u2013 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
\nAug. 2, 2016 Wanheng Menayothin W12 Saul Juarez \u2013 Chonburi, Thailand
\nNov. 6, 2014 Wanheng Menayothin TKO9 Oswaldo Novoa \u2013 Chonburi, Thailand
\nFeb. 5, 2014 Oswaldo Novoa TKO5 Chaozhong Xiong \u2013 Haikou, China
\nNov. 24, 2012 Chaozhong Xiong W12 Javier Martinez Resendiz \u2013 Kunming, China
\nFeb. 11, 2011 Kazuto Ioka TKO5 Oleydong Sithsamerchai \u2013 Kobe, Japan
\nNov. 29, 2007 Oleydong Sithsamerchai W12 Eagle Kyowa \u2013 Bangkok, Thailand
\nAug. 6, 2005 Eagle Kyowa W12 Katsunari Takayama \u2013 Tokyo, Japan
\nApr. 4, 2005 Katsunari Takayama W12 Isaac Bustos \u2013 Osaka, Japan
\nDec. 18, 2004 Isaac Bustos TKO4 Eagle Kyowa \u2013 Tokyo, Japan
\nJan. 10, 2004 Eagle Kyowa W12 Jose Antonio Aguirre \u2013 Tokyo, Japan
\nJul. 7, 2000 Jose Antonio Aguirre KO5 Jose Luis Zepeda \u2013 Villahermosa, Mexico
\nFeb. 11, 2000 Jose Antonio Aguirre W12 Wandee Chor Chareon \u2013 Samut Sakhon, Thailand
\nMay 4, 1999 Wandee Chor Chareon TKO12 Wolf Tokimitsu \u2013 Kurashiki, Japan
\nAug. 23, 1998 Wandee Chor Chareon W12 Rocky Lin \u2013 Yokohama, Japan
\nNov. 13, 1998 Ricardo Lopez W12 Rosendo Alvarez \u2013 Las Vegas, Nevada
\nMar. 7, 1998 Ricardo Lopez TD8 Rosendo Alvarez \u2013 M\u00e9xico City, M\u00e9xico
\nSep. 17, 1994 Ricardo Lopez TKO1 Surachai Saengmorakot \u2013 Las Vegas, Nevada
\nDec. 18, 1993 Ricardo Lopez KO11 Manny Melchor \u2013 Stateline, Nevada
\nOct. 25, 1990 Ricardo Lopez TKO5 Hideyuki Ohashi \u2013 Tokyo, Japan
\nJune 8, 1990 Hideyuki Ohashi W12 Napa Kiatwanchai \u2013 Tokyo, Japan
\nFeb. 7, 1990 Hideyuki Ohashi KO9 Jum-Hwan Choi \u2013 Tokyo, Japan
\nNov. 12, 1989 Jum-Hwan Choi TKO12 Napa Kiatwanchai \u2013 Seoul, South Korea
\nNov. 13, 1988 Napa Kiatwanchai W12 Hiroki Ioka \u2013 Osaka, Japan
\nOct. 18, 1987 Hiroki Ioka W12 Mai Thomburifarm \u2013 Osaka, Japan<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Thinner in Manila<\/strong><\/h2>\n

By James Blears<\/p>\n

A galaxy event spearheaded by Manny Pacquiao Promotions, starring the current Pride of the Philippines WBC Straw Weight Champion Melvin \u2018\u2019Gringo\u2019\u2019 Jerusalem defending his title for the third time, on this occasion against WBC Silver Champion Siyakholwa \u2018\u2019One Way\u2019\u2019 Kuse, from the Eastern Cape, South Africa on Wednesday October 29th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

It`s to commemorate, rather than to emulate the fiftieth anniversary Thrilla in Manila, which would be utterly impossible to duplicate. In the same Smart Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City, in the Metro Manila radius, five decades ago Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought each other to an almost standstill in stifling heat and sweltering, cloying and draining humidity. Veteran Coach Eddie Futch in Joe`s corner, took the momentous, but humane and fateful decision to stop Joe coming out for the fifteenth and final round for the trilogy finale, because both of his eyes were almost swollen shut and seconds later the winner Ali fainted, later saying it was the closest he`d come to dying. The magma magnanimity of Awesome Greatness, yet a pyrrhic victory with lasting consequences, because neither great fighter was ever quite the same ever again. It had taken too much out of them both.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As a salute to the epic fiftieth, legendary southpaw Manny Pacquiao and his right- hand man Sean Gibbons aim to put on a show of tribute to remember, for the coming years plus decades. \u00a0The undercard will include Muhammad Ali`s grandson Nico Ali Walsh, undefeated son of Manny Eman Bacosa, former title challenger Aran Dipaen, former unified champion Marlon Tapales and Filipino Olympic medallist Eumir Marcial.\u00a0 VIP invitees will be World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman, Laila Ali, Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, Top Rank President Bob Arum, Larry Holmes, Referee of that Ali Vs Frazier fight Carlos \u2018\u2019Sonny\u2019\u2019 Padilla Jr, and health permitting Don King.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Melvin was to have fought Angel Daniel Valladares, one time challenger for the IBF title, held by Ginjiro Shigeoka, who had TKO`d him in five rounds. But somehow the fight fell through, reputedly over visa problems.\u00a0 Into the breach boldly steps Siyakholwa Kuse from South Africa.\u00a0 While Melvin aged 31 has a seasoned and relatively polished record of 24-3, 12 KO`s, southpaw Siyakholwa aged twenty- three is a relative newcomer to the pro ranks with 9-2-1. 4KO`s.\u00a0 Yet as an amateur he participated in the Commonwealth Youth games and entering the pro ranks, he won the South African straw weight title in just his fifth fight. He won the vacant WBC Silver title via a MD over Beaven Sibanda and retained it with a UD over sturdy and experienced Filipino gatekeeper Samuel Salva. Yet earlier in his career he lost a MD to Bangile Nyangani and a UD to Xolisa Magusha. This here and now,is a quantum leap up in class for him. A sink or swim opportunity, for which he is preparing flat out, trying to be on the crest of a wave.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Fully aware of this, the more seasoned Melvin is taking nothing for granted. He has prudently said: \u2018\u2019It`s extremely dangerous to take someone for granted, as over confidence can work against you. The guys who fight for world titles train hard and are out to win.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Melvin has had to work hard to get where he is and to win two versions of the straw weight title. He`s served an exacting apprenticeship. Triumph could have come early. In 2017, he took on the legendary Wanheng Menayothin and put in a terrific effort. Docked a point in round eight for a low blow it cost him dear. Had that not happened he would have earned a majority draw. As it was, he lost a close UD.<\/p>\n

Melvin patiently worked his way back. He won the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title in 2020, defeating Toto Landero by UD. He`d previously defeated Toto via the same result.\u00a0 Back on the winning track, three years later he TKO`d Masataka Tanigushi in two rounds to win the WBO title. A resounding left right combination put the then champion down hard and he wasn`t able to beat the count.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

But in his first defence Melvin came up against extremely hard- hitting buzzsaw Puerto Rican southpaw Oscar \u2018\u2019El Pupilo\u2019\u2019 Collazo who battered him from pillar to post for seven wincingly one sided rounds, after which he was unable to continue.\u00a0 Chastened, but undaunted, Melvin dusted himself off, regrouped and two fights later he defeated hitherto unbeaten WBC Champion Yudai Shigeoka by SD, having twice knocked him down. He`d fought his way back!<\/p>\n

In his first defence he dropped Mexico`s Luis Castillo in the opening round and dominated him throughout to win a UD. Then a rematch with Yudai which he won by a more convincing UD. Melvin is itching for a rematch with Collazo who is still the WBO champion, but is not overlooking the relative rookie from South Africa, who had everything to gain in this opportunity of a lifetime battle. Even though he is WBC champion of boxing`s most slender weight division, Melvin can dig, especially with his right hand. Yet his defence can sometimes be leaky as he likes to come forward and throw punches in bunches. This two- fisted approach can leave him open and exposed. He`s not afraid to take risks, with the big prize up for grabs.<\/p>\n

Sean Gibbons, who was once a boxer himself, before turning his hand and very successfully to promoting and management, isn`t a believer in the no blemish, O record. He feels that defeats which are redeemed or followed by a learning curve and wins, are proving factors, proving grounds \u00a0and successful tests of character.\u00a0 He shared this view at a Martes a Caf\u00e9 in Sports and Chips, while accompanying Isaac \u2018\u2019Pitbull\u2019\u2019 Cruz, who has known defeat, but roared back and whose style is an exciting crowd thrilling pleaser.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The fact that a straw- weight only weighs forty-seven kilograms or less, has nothing to do with the ability to possess a mule kick punch.\u00a0 KO power, ability and capability has got far more to do with exquisite timing and applying it at just the right moment.\u00a0 The near perfect exponent of this was the legendary Ricardo \u2018\u2019Finito\u2019\u2019 Lopez. During a stellar career from 1985-2001, Ricardo built a record of 51-0-1, with 38 KO`s. That`s a 74.51 percent KO ratio over 337 rounds. The only blemish and the only time he briefly visited the canvass, was a TD against WBA Champion Rosendo \u2018\u2019Bufalo\u2019\u2019 Alvarez, yet he won the rematch by a SD, later going up one division to win the IBF light flyweight title.<\/p>\n

It`s almost ironic that half a century after an historic and titanic heavyweight epic, that the bill will be topped by the slimmest weight division, but it`s evident just how proud Melvin will be fighting in his homeland.\u00a0 Fifty years ago, \u2018\u2019Smoking Joe\u2019\u2019 marvelled at Muhammad Ali`s courage and durability recalling that the walls of cities would have crumbled and crumpled to dust, under his demolition blows, but somehow Ali withstood them. The walls of Jericho may have toppled, but Ali from the city of Louisville, stood firm. Now all of these years later, the walls of Jerusalem are in place, standing firm, ready to try and resist a latter- day invader from the Mighty Continent.\u00a0 Between gritted teeth and between punches given and received, Ali muttered to Joe: \u2018\u2019They told me you were finished.\u2019\u2019 To which Joe replied: \u2018\u2019Well they lied!\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

For this event some of the relatives and even witness of that final decider way back then, will be at hand in Manila. The boxers of today, will try their utmost to make all of us proud. Good on you Manny and Sean! There`s something to be said for tradition.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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WBC Special Preview: MELVIN JERUSALEM vs. SIYAKHOLWA KUSE WBC STATISTICS WBC Strawweight World Championship October 29, 2025 \/ Quezon City, Philippines \/ Araneta Coliseum MP PROMOTIONS [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n

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