SUCCESSFUL in his first defense of his WBC strawweight belt, Melvin Jerusalem is setting his sights at bigger fights.

Coming off a superb unanimous decision win over erstwhile unbeaten Luis Castillo, Jerusalem is hoping to get a crack at WBA titleholder Thammanoon Niyomtrong of Thailand for a unification fight.

“I want to fight the WBA champion [Niyomtrong],” Jerusalem told Ryan Songalia of Ring TV. “He is still good. He is strong but my dream is to fight him because I want to fight unification fights. I will prepare for that.”

The 30-year-old Bukidnon native but Cebu-based Jerusalem improved to 23W-3L, 12KOs after he defeated the Mexican Castillo in the main event of Manny Pacquiao’s Blow-By-Blow card in Mandaluyong City last Sunday night, September 22.

With the victory, Jerusalem has the option to defend his title or unify against Niyomtrong, who is unbeaten in 25 fights with nine knockout wins.

Jerusalem’s promoter, Jim Claude Manangquil of Sanman Promotions, expressed confidence in his ward’s chances against the Thai fighter.

Manangquil, however, is wary if a Jerusalem-Niyomtrong would generate enough interest as the Thai fighter is not that popular outside Southeast Asia.

“It’s gonna be a hard fight to make, but [as far as] style matchups, I think Melvin beats him easily,” said Manangquil in the same report.

Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions agreed with Manangquil’s apprehensions.

“The problem is finding the money for these fights. We were lucky enough that Manny [Pacquiao] had the budget for the Blow by Blow [broadcast],” Gibbons said.(CCM)

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• #Sanman Promotions