WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem (25-3) has won the first round, at least in his psychological battle against South Africa’s Siya Kuse. The Filipino and his team took one look at the officials assigned to the world championship fight and balked at the appointment of two Africa-based judges. They consequently complained to the WBC, who relented and replaced Tanzania’s John Chaggu with David Irving of the UK. It’s a telling move on the part of the champion, who clearly intends taking no chances boxing away from his home base. He says he trusts the right outcome will emerge at Emperors Palace on May 16th, but evidently that trust has its limits. Interestingly, the champion’s team has no issues with Zambian referee Maybin Kante and appears to be satisfied that the WBC have balanced out the judges with Thabo Spampool of SA and Jerrold Tomeldan of Philippines joining Irving.Dr Peter Ngatane, the veteran WBC official from South Africa, will supervise the action.

 

The change clearly ratchets up the pressure on Kuse, who can make no assumptions about any likely “home cooking” for the fight of his life. Kuse will have to win on his merits and that will likely require him to produce an effort superior to the one against Jerusalem last October, when he pushed the champion all the way. Meanwhile, Jerusalem is enjoying the buildup in SA, using both his hotel gym and a city gym to hone his game ahead of his title defense. With altitude generally a factor for visiting sportsmen, he will have no such concerns next weekend.

 

Round one, so to speak, to the champion. But Kuse (9-3) has built his path as an aggressive, high-tempo fighter, standing out in the African scene with consistent performances that earned him major international opportunities. In their first encounter, Jerusalem used his experience and ring savvy to secure a unanimous decision victory, landing the cleaner and more effective punches over twelve rounds in a competitive fight.

 

Where to watch the fight? The fight will be broadcast on https://supersport.com/

 

Schedule: 

 

Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras: 10:00 am (Mexico City time)

United States (ET): 12:00 pm

Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Panama: 11:00 am

Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Venezuela: 12:00 pm

Argentina, Uruguay, Chile: 1:00 pm

Spain: 6:00 pm

South Africa: 6:00 pm

 

Undercard

 

Ntethelelo Nkosi vs Subusiso Zingange;

Tyla Promnick vs Thobela Nyanda;

Juan Alberts vs Akani Phuzi;

Jose Kadima vs Johnny Muller; and

Andre Mulumba.