Melvin Jerusalem Seeks Redemption in High-Stakes Rematch Against Oscar Collazo
Second chances are a rare commodity in the unforgiving world of professional boxing, but WBC minimumweight king Melvin Jerusalem is seizing his opportunity for redemption. On March 14, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, USA, Jerusalem will face off against WBO and WBA minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo in a highly anticipated rematch that promises to unify the division's titles.
A Chance to Rewrite History
"This is my second chance," Jerusalem expressed to SunStar Cebu, his voice filled with determination. "I'm very happy that I've been given another opportunity to beat him in this fight. We're really preparing well for this fight." The stakes couldn't be higher as Jerusalem aims to avenge his previous loss and solidify his legacy in the sport.
The first encounter between these two warriors took place in 2023, when Jerusalem, then the WBO minimumweight champion, defended his belt against Collazo in Indio, California. Unfortunately for Jerusalem, the fight ended in a seventh-round stoppage, a result he attributes to poor preparation. He arrived in the US less than two weeks before the bout, struggling to adjust to the time zone and weather conditions.
Strategic Adjustments for the Rematch
This time, Jerusalem and his team are leaving nothing to chance. At 31 years old, the Filipino boxer will depart for the US on Sunday, February 15, a full month before the unification bout. Accompanied by his coach Michael Domingo and sparring partner Kiyoto Narukami, Jerusalem will train at the renowned Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
"Going there early will be good for me. I'll be able to adjust," Jerusalem explained. "For this fight, we've also added some improvements from our first fight. I've been preparing hard for this fight." This strategic move highlights his commitment to overcoming past obstacles and showcasing his best performance yet.
Jerusalem's Path to Redemption
After the defeat to Collazo, Jerusalem demonstrated remarkable resilience by earning a shot at the WBC title the following year against Yudai Shigeoka in Japan. In an impressive display, he secured a split decision victory, becoming a two-time minimumweight world champion. He further proved his mettle by dominating Shigeoka in a one-sided unanimous decision win during their rematch last year in Japan.
Collazo's Rise to Unification
On the other side of the ring, 29-year-old Oscar Collazo has carved his own path to greatness. He unified the WBO and WBA minimumweight belts with a seventh-round stoppage of Thammanoon Niyomtrong, who was widely regarded as the best 105-pounder at the time, in a unification bout held in Saudi Arabia. Collazo is coming off a seventh-round knockout victory over Jerusalem's compatriot, Jayson Vayson, in Indio, California, on September 20, 2025.
As the fight approaches, the statistics tell a compelling story: Jerusalem boasts a record of 25-3 with 12 knockouts, while Collazo remains undefeated at 13-0 with 10 knockouts. This rematch is not just about titles; it's about legacy, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of boxing excellence.
