BoxRec

Melvin Jerusalem Wants Appropriate Time To Train For Rematch With Oscar Collazo

Timing is everything in boxing and it needs to align for WBC strawweight titleholder Melvin Jerusalem to face Ring, WBA and WBO ruler Oscar Collazo next.

The two first met in May 2023, when Collazo stopped Jerusalem in seven rounds to claim the WBO title. Since then, the Filipino has regrouped, won the WBC title and made three successful defenses. Both sides have expressed their desire to run it back, but so far it hasn’t happened.

Jerusalem (25-3, 12 KOs) is hopeful that can change next year.

“I heard Collazo wants to fight me again,” Jerusalem told The Ring. “I think he wants to fight me February 13. It is very near, that’s why my team didn’t accept. If they extend the fight to March or April [we can fight].”

The 31-year-old Jerusalem, who is coming off a 12-round, unanimous-decision win over Siya Kuse on October 29, felt the first fight with Puerto Rico’s Collazo (13-0, 10 KOs) was going well until it wasn’t. He doesn’t want to make the same mistake again.

“Just give time, so I can adjust to the time [difference],” Jerusalem said. “Maybe more than 10 days. I think we went to America and it was a little tight [to adjust] … Because of the jetlag, I sleep only 2-3 hours a day. Collazo is a good boxer. That is why we need to train perfect to be the best.”

Jerusalem's manager, Marivic Matsuura, of course wants her fighter to be in optimal condition.

“Melvin’s dream is to be undisputed in his division and he will do his best to achieve it,” Matsuura said. “We really want to make it happen. We want Melvin to fight in his best condition and give all fans a good fight and performance in the ring. We just need enough preparation this time. We hope that Team Collazo understands from our side. We want to give them a good fight.”

MELVIN JERUSALEM WANTS APPROPRIATE TIME TO TRAIN FOR REMATCH WITH OSCAR COLLAZO

Timing is everything in boxing and it needs to align for WBC strawweight titleholder Melvin Jerusalem to face Ring, WBA and WBO ruler Oscar Collazo next.

The two first met in May 2023, when Collazo stopped Jerusalem in seven rounds to claim the WBO title. Since then, the Filipino has regrouped, won the WBC title and made three successful defenses. Both sides have expressed their desire to run it back, but so far it hasn’t happened.

Jerusalem (25-3, 12 KOs) is hopeful that can change next year.

“I heard Collazo wants to fight me again,” Jerusalem told The Ring. “I think he wants to fight me February 13. It is very near, that’s why my team didn’t accept. If they extend the fight to March or April [we can fight].”

The 31-year-old Jerusalem, who is coming off a 12-round, unanimous-decision win over Siya Kuse on October 29, felt the first fight with Puerto Rico’s Collazo (13-0, 10 KOs) was going well until it wasn’t. He doesn’t want to make the same mistake again.

“Just give time, so I can adjust to the time [difference],” Jerusalem said. “Maybe more than 10 days. I think we went to America and it was a little tight [to adjust] … Because of the jetlag, I sleep only 2-3 hours a day. Collazo is a good boxer. That is why we need to train perfect to be the best.”

Jerusalem's manager, Marivic Matsuura, of course wants her fighter to be in optimal condition.

“Melvin’s dream is to be undisputed in his division and he will do his best to achieve it,” Matsuura said. “We really want to make it happen. We want Melvin to fight in his best condition and give all fans a good fight and performance in the ring. We just need enough preparation this time. We hope that Team Collazo understands from our side. We want to give them a good fight.”

The jet lag problem should have been anticipated by his trainers and his sleeping schedule adjusted .

Oscar is too much for straw-weights and the first result should be repeated.

Melvin Jerusalem after Oscar Collazo revenge with rematch in offing

Both sides are in talks for the rematch and hoping to make a deal to fight in Puerto Rico for March.

Jerusalem (25-3, 12 KOs), who is rated No. 1 at 105 pounds, one place below Collazo, previously held the WBO title before losing it to Collazo in his first defense in May 2023.

He remains keen to get revenge and put their first fight behind him.

"I will win, not just in words but in deeds and beliefs," Jerusalem (25-3, 12 KOs) told The Ring. "I believe in myself, by God's will, I will win this time, no excuses, no reasons this is war.

"This time my team and I prepared a lot for this fight, and I will defend my belt and defeat Collazo this time."

His mindset is a far cry from when he won the WBO title in a watershed moment four months earlier, as a 4/1 (+475) underdog, against Masataka Taniguchi in January 2023.

Jerusalem had enjoyed a three-month training at home in Cebu, Philippines and also his manager's home city, Nagoya, in Japan.

He arrived in Osaka a week prior to facing Taniguchi, just two pounds over the strawweight limit.

"Before I got hit, I was nervous," he admitted. "I didn't expect to win because my opponent is very strong. I am the challenger, but I do my best for that fight. I trained 100 percent for the fight. I did [in the fight] what I did in training.

"The first round, I lacked confidence, I knew my opponent was good."

After the opening round, Jerusalem and his corner shifted gears which almost instantly bore fruit.

"I moved a lot, I looked for the perfect timing, a perfect left hand," he said. "Just one shot. He got up and he went down again [without the fight continuing.] The referee was counting two times from that one punch."

Despite subsequently losing to Collazo, it was clearly a pivotal moment in Jerusalem's career and allowed him to have belief in his own ability.

"When I won my first world title match with Taniguchi that time, I was so happy because it was my first time and my team won a world title championship," he said.

"After that I was defeated by Collazo that makes my heart more stronger and stand up again and learn a lot from it.

"Then I won my second world title with Yudai Shigeoka with my hard work and learning. I managed to defend my belt couple of times that built my confidence and strive to learn and to improve more."

Oscar Collazo and Melvin Jerusalem set for rematch on March 14

The best two strawweights in the world are set to run it back.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that Oscar Collazo and Melvin Jerusalem are on course to meet again on March 14 at a Southern California location to be determined. The clash will see Puerto Rico’s Collazo, 13-0 (10 KOs) risk his lineal, RING and unified WBA/WBO 105lbs championship, while the Philippines’ Jerusalem, 25-3 (12 KOs) puts his WBC title on the line.

While a venue has yet to be finalized as this goes to publication, BS has learned that the rematch could land at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Their first meeting took place in May 2023 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, roughly three hours east of the targeted SoCal region for the rematch. Collazo defeated Jerusalem via stoppage after six rounds to claim the WBO 105lbs strap, thus ending Jerusalem’s title stay after just five months.

Six successful defenses have followed for Collazo, the 29-year-old southpaw from Villalba. His run has included true championship lineage following his November 2024 knockout of then-unbeaten and long reigning WBA titlist Thammanoon Niyomtrong in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Collazo became the first-ever RING strawweight champion with the win.

He has since added stoppage victories over Edwin Cano Hernandez and Jayson Vayson, both which took place in 2025. All but one of Collazo’s seven major title fights have ended inside the distance. The lone criticism among his remarkable reign was at times landing on lesser opposition, as his handlers have sought activity to help fill the gaps in pursuit of bigger fights.

However, it was always not just a goal but Collazo’s personal mission to fully unify the division.

“That’s the message I want to bring to the lower weight classes,” Collazo previously told Boxing Scene. “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’re going to see high level boxing. That’s what I want, for the world to see what we got to offer.”

This will mark an occasion where public demand has been met.

Jerusalem has since established himself as no worse than the second-best strawweight in the world following his abovementioned defeat to Collazo.

Five wins have followed for “El Gringo,” including two over Yudai Shigeoka in Japan to claim and subsequently defend the WBC 105lbs belt. Jerusalem defeated Shigeoka for the first time in March 2024, less than a year after his first meeting with Collazo. He has successfully defended the title three times, including a repeat victory over Shigeoka last March 30 in Tokoname.

In his most recent defense, Jerusalem outpointed South Africa’s Siyakholwa Kuse over 12 rounds atop the Thrilla in Manila 50th anniversary show last October 29 in Quezon City.

Whereas Collazo has been a knockout nearly every time out, Jerusalem has gone the distance in each of his past five starts.

The winner of the March 14 rematch will become the first three-belt titlist in the history of the 105lbs division.

Pedro Taduran holds the lone other piece of hardware at the weight, as he is currently on his second tour as the IBF titleholder. Taduran is due to defend his belt in the U.S. later this spring. Collazo has already publicly expressed interest in potentially facing him to crown the first-ever undisputed strawweight champion, provided he can repeat against Taduran’s countryman.

Oscar Collazo-Melvin Jerusalem II tabled by Golden Boy-Vergil Ortiz spat

The fallout between Golden Boy Promotions and Vergil Ortiz Jnr has already impacted the company’s roster.

Boxing Scene has learned that plans for a rematch between Oscar Collazo and Melvin Jerusalem are now on hold. The battle of the two best strawweights on the planet was previously on course to headline a March 14 DAZN show from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

However, Golden Boy’s current dispute with Ortiz and his team has impacted the company’s ability to renegotiate an output deal with DAZN. The conflict has put all of its targeted dates on hold, until the issue between promoter and boxer is resolved – and, more importantly to DAZN, plans proceed for a desired showdown between Ortiz and Jaron “Boots” Ennis.

The latter was nearly agreed to but is now also on hold after Golden Boy was awarded a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing Ortiz from moving forward with the fight – or any other – without its involvement. The matter is now due to appear before a Nevada court on February 20, with Ortiz’s team granted a deadline of February 17 to oppose the motion, and for Golden Boy to respond by no later than February 18.

DAZN’s previous desire to resume its seven-plus year relationship with Golden Boy hinged on the company’s ability to deliver Ortiz-Ennis. Those plans were compromised when Golden Boy representatives learned that Ortiz’s team was negotiating the fight without their involvement, at which point a Nevada judge granted the company’s TRO request.

Meanwhile, the belief – at least on the Jerusalem side – is that the strawweight championship rematch is more likely to take place in June or July. The planned March 14 show was also to include undisputed flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora in a mandatory title defense against Viviana Ruiz, and a 140lbs crossroads bout between Arnold Barboza and Kenneth Sims Jnr.

The development represents the uglier side of the sport, especially in a rematch where both sides came to terms after nearly two years of circling one another at the top level.

Puerto Rico’s Collazo, 13-0 (10 KOs), is the recognized lineal, Ring and unified WBA/WBO 105lbs champion, while the Philippines’ Jerusalem, 25-3 (12 KOs), holds the WBC title.

Collazo’s title run began with a May 2023 stoppage win over Jerusalem to claim the WBO belt. He has made six successful defenses since then, including a November 2024 knockout of then-unbeaten and long-reigning WBA titlist Thammanoon Niyomtrong in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

All but one of Collazo’s seven major title fights have ended inside the distance.

The win over Niyomtrong crowned the first-ever Ring strawweight king and re-established championship lineage at the weight after more than 25 years. The most recent recognized lineal champ at 105lbs was Ricardo Lopez, who abandoned his reign after his November 1998 rematch win over Rosendo Alvarez; the Ring title was not yet back in circulation at the time.

While Collazo has been on a tear since his first title win, Jerusalem quickly made his way back into the picture and has emerged as his top threat.

“El Gringo” Jerusalem is riding a current five-fight win streak, including two victories over Yudai Shigeoka in Japan. He defeated Shigeoka for the first time in March 2024, less than a year after his first meeting with Collazo and when Shigeoka was the undefeated WBC 105lbs titlist. Jerusalem has successfully defended the title three times, including a repeat victory over Shigeoka last March 30 in Tokoname.

In his most recent defense, Jerusalem outpointed South Africa’s Siyakholwa Kuse over 12 rounds atop the “Thrilla in Manila” 50th anniversary show last October 29 in Quezon City, Philippines.

Collazo has not fought since a stoppage win over Jayson Vayson last September 20 at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California – his first fight back at the venue since his win over Jerusalem. The 29-year-old southpaw Collazo was joined on the card by Fundora in an undisputed championship defense, and the dynamic duo were on course for their second consecutive double feature.

Sadly, both of their careers are currently on hold until Golden Boy can sort out its differences with Ortiz – legally or otherwise – and resume filling up its boxing calendar with DAZN.

Shame he’s not fighting Melvin in a rematch.

COLLAZO SETTLES FOR STAY-BUSY BOUT VS. HARO BEFORE JERUSALEM REMATCH

Strawweight slugger Oscar Collazo went from nearly facing Melvin Jerusalem in a rematch and undisputed title fight to taking on unknown contender Jesus Haro on Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

The Ring, WBA and WBO 105-pound champion Collazo (13-0, 10 KOs) was dealt the underwhelming, stay-busy encounter against Haro (13-3, 2 KOs) as a result of budget constraints.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel, as Collazo’s team has promised the Jerusalem fight will take place this summer if Collazo crushes Haro, as he’s expected to.

"I'm very happy and grateful to my promoters for the opportunity to return to the ring,” Collazo said during a media workout. “We're focused and ready for anything Haro might bring. … You'll see a great fight. We know what we're going to work on, and we're going to get a great victory."

Collazo, The Ring’s No. 10 pound-for-pound fighter, should easily handle the outmatched Haro.

Promoted by Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya, Collazo has exclusively competed in title fights over the last three years and blasted the division’s best boxers. The title run started in May 2023, when Collazo stopped Jerusalem in seven rounds for the WBO title. Collazo has since strung together six additional wins.

Jerusalem has rebounded with five wins since losing to Collazo and picked up the WBC title along the way.

Haro, meanwhile, is nowhere near the class of Collazo despite having a reported amateur record of 100-8. The 23-year-old from Merced, California, built his pro record in Mexico and has fought in club shows in Northern California. He's 2-2 over his last four bouts, and his last fight, a win in May, came against an opponent with a 2-4-1 record.

"I'm not surprised to be getting this shot," said Haro. "It was bound to happen. My hard work couldn't go unnoticed. My camp has been great. I've gotten good preparation and sparring. I'm feeling great mentally and physically. I know he's bringing his best, and I'm bringing my best. The crowd better be ready for it."

With a sequel in store against Jerusalem, the 29-year-old Collazo is taking the Haro tune-up seriously despite the massive discrepancy in the experience department.

"Haro is a fighter with refined boxing skills who uses his speed and counterattacks a lot,” said Collazo. “But we're going to use our intelligence and our IQ to figure him out and get the victory for all of Puerto Rico."

Collazo vs. Haro will serve as the co-main event to the fight between Arnold Barboza and Kenneth Sims on DAZN.