Jerusalem keeps world crown

Marcial beats foe in fierce fight

MANILA, Philippines — On a nostalgic, star-studded night commemorating the great “Thrilla in Manila,” Pinoy fighters led by Melvin Jerusalem and Eumir Marcial channeled their inner “Alis” in dishing out winning performances.

Jerusalem stood at the forefront of the boxing fest that paid tribute to the legendary 1975 fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, successfully defending his World Boxing Council minimum weight belt against South African Siyakholwa Kuse in the main card.

Before a partisan Big Dome crowd, Jerusalem finished stronger against a game Kuse en route to a 12-round unanimous decision win.

Judges Jun Bae Lim and Zanashir Taznaa scored it 116-112 and Samantha Bulner saw it 115-113 – all for the Pinoy champ, who defended the 105-pound crown for the third time.

In a mighty display of the Filipino fighting spirit in the co-main event, Marcial picked himself up from two knockdowns to defeat power-punching Eddy Colmenares of Venezuela by 10-round majority decision and capture the WBC International middleweight crown.

Marcial won in the eyes of two judges, 95-93, while the third one had it 94-94,

“This fight was my test to see if I truly have what it takes to become a world champion at middleweight,” said the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, who thanked supporters led by SportsPlus in his preparation and journey to this “Thrilla 2” win.

“I’m thankful to SportsPlus for their support. It means a lot, not just for me, but for the youth who might be inspired to stand where I am one day,” he added.

Local prospect Carl Jammes Martin outpointed Thai veteran Aran Dipaen in their 10-rounder, 98-81, 97-92, 98-90, to clinch the World Boxing Organization super bantamweight crown.

Former two-division world titlist Marlon Tapales knocked out Venezuelan Fernando Toro in the sixth stanza of their featherweight bout as Eman Bacosa beat compatriot Nico Salado via UD in their lightweight match up.