Filipino boxing standout Melvin Jerusalem has long been regarded as one of the Philippines’ premier pugilists, combining sharp technical ability, disciplined footwork, and a patient, tactical approach inside the ring. At 31 years old, the southpaw has built a reputation as a world-class competitor, having previously held the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight crown and establishing himself among the country’s most accomplished modern fighters on the international stage.
However, Jerusalem’s reign at the top came to a painful end on early Sunday morning, May 17 (Philippine Standard Time), after dropping a unanimous decision loss to South Africa’s Siyakholwa Kuse in their WBC minimumweight title rematch held at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.
Despite showing resilience throughout the 12-round contest, Jerusalem was unable to convince the judges, who scored the bout 116-111, 116-112, and 115-111 in favor of Kuse, allowing the South African challenger to claim the world title on home soil.
OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.
The Filipino champion did, however, produce one of the fight’s defining moments when he floored Kuse in the 11th round—the only knockdown of the bout. The late surge briefly swung momentum in Jerusalem’s favor, but it ultimately proved insufficient to overturn Kuse’s early and consistent accumulation of points.
A major turning point in the fight came in the third round, when an accidental clash of heads resulted in a deep cut above Jerusalem’s left eye. The injury appeared to worsen as the rounds progressed, with blood visibly affecting his vision and limiting his ability to engage comfortably in exchanges. Kuse capitalized on the damage by targeting the affected area and maintaining steady pressure throughout the championship rounds.
🇿🇦Siyakholwa Kuse surviving a Round 11 Knockdown to score a UD12 win over Melvin Jerusalem to become the WBC Minimumweight Champion pic.twitter.com/I67xFM1oiD
— Tokkerū (@ATokkers5) May 16, 2026
Jerusalem, who arrived in South Africa nearly three weeks before the bout to complete his final preparation phase, showed no signs of making excuses in the aftermath of the defeat. Instead, he acknowledged Kuse’s performance and expressed gratitude to his supporters.
“No excuses, guys. Yung mga naniniwala sa akin, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Hindi sa atin ngayon yung araw. Congrats kay Kuse,” Jerusalem said on social media.
The loss drops Jerusalem’s professional record to 25-4 with 12 knockouts, halting his momentum in the minimumweight division and temporarily derailing his pursuit of another world title reign. For Kuse, meanwhile, the victory improves his record to 10-3-1 with four knockouts, marking the biggest win of his career to date.
Jerusalem’s defeat also carries broader implications for the minimumweight division landscape. Prior to the loss, the Filipino fighter had been positioning himself for a potential high-profile unification bout with World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Oscar Collazo, a matchup that now becomes significantly more complicated following the setback in Johannesburg.
With the WBC title now out of Filipino hands, the country’s remaining world boxing champion in the division is International Boxing Federation (IBF) mini flyweight titleholder Pedro Taduran, who continues to carry the Philippines’ hopes on the global stage.
Despite the disappointment, Jerusalem’s standing as one of the nation’s elite fighters remains intact, with many observers noting that his competitive showing—particularly the late knockdown and his willingness to battle through injury—reinforced his reputation as a tough, technically sound world-class contender capable of competing at the highest level.
Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!
Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and join the community of passionate sports fans.