Jerusalem’s goal is to get back at Collazo

MANILA, Philippines — Without looking ahead of tonight’s “Thrilla in Manila 2” at the Araneta Coliseum, World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem remained focused on one goal.That is to get back at Puerto Rico’s Oscar Collazo, Jerusalem’s former tormentor who currently holds the World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association versions of the crown.

“Anytime, anywhere. Oscar Collazo, that’s the fight we want,” Jerusalem’s promoter, JC Mananquil of Sanman Boxing, told Philstar.com during the official weigh-in yesterday at the Gateway Mall.

“Melvin will avenge his defeat,” added Mananquil, referring to his ward’s technical knockout loss to Collazo in 2023.

But first, the 31-year-old Jerusalem (24-3, with 21 knockouts) must get past South Africa’s Siyakholwa Kuse (9-2-2, 4 KOs) in the celebratory show for the 50th anniversary of the famed “Thrilla in Manila” showdown between heavyweight greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

Jerusalem and Kuse both weighed in at 104.8 pounds, looking primed for their 12-round battle.

Jerusalem isn’t the only Filipino 105-pound titleholder who’s after Collazo’s scalp.

Pedro Taduran already took care of business when he battered countryman Christian Balunan en route to a lopsided decision to defend the International Boxing Federation minimumweight crown last Sunday.

Taduran, too, wants an immediate shot at the undefeated Collazo (13-0, 10 KOs).