Jerusalem delights Thrilla crowd with UD win; Marcial bags first pro title

Updated: March 18, 2026

There’s no other perfect way to celebrate the golden anniversary of the famous “Thrilla in Manila” but to delight the crowd with a night of high-caliber boxing and the Filipinos winning and shining on the ring.

Melvin Jerusalem fulfilled his mission as he wrapped up the action at the Big Dome with a successful defense of his WBC Minimumweight crown against South African challenger Siyakholwa Kuse via unanimous decision in their main event duel in the wee hours of Thursday, Oct. 30.

The 31-year-old Jerusalem showed relentless spirit to overcome a gritty Kuse who was a deserving challenger throughout the 12 rounds, with icon Manny Pacquiao one of the many spectators who enjoyed the spectacle he organized to give honor to the legendary fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

The pride of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon now holds a 25-3-0 record after his third successful title defense, while Kuse went home heartbroken with a 9-3-1 card.

“Nahirapan talaga ako kasi anong oras na ngayon, pero pantay lang kaya walang excuse do’n,” said Jerusalem. “Matibay din ‘yong kalaban kaya nag-adjust talaga kami.”

Meanwhile, Eumir Marcial was knocked down twice in the third and 10th rounds but pulled off a majority decision win against Venezuelan Eddy Colmenares to bag the vacant WBC International middleweight strap.

Marcial, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Wednesday, took home his first pro title after two judges scored 95-93 and the third one 94-94 in favor of the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist.

“‘Di ko in-expect na makukuha kopa ‘yong panalo… talagang nilaban kolang kasi grabe din ‘yong crowd, hindi nila ako pinabayaan sa laban,” said Marcial.

Marcial maintained his pristine record of seven wins, while Colmenares fell to 11-3-1 slate.

Earlier, Nico Ali Walsh came out inspired to honor his late grandfather and boxing legend Muhammad Ali, but ultimately settled for a majority draw decision in his non-tile middleweight bout against Thailand’s Kittisak Klinson.

“I thought it was a clear victory. I’m happy that the crowd enjoyed the fight, I thought it was a clearly dominant performance, I was just shocked by the decision,” said Walsh.

Earlier, Marlon Tapales, the former IBF and WBA super bantamweight king, made his presence felt with a technical knockout triumph against Venezuelan Fernando Toro.

Tapales, 33, sizzled with his signature lethal blows, particularly in Round 6 where he dropped Toro to close out the match with 2:31 minutes passed.

He now posted his 41st win (22KOs) against four defeats, while Toro endured his third loss with 11 victories.

In another match, rising star Carl Jammes Martin stayed unblemished after a unanimous decision win over Thai Aran Diapen in their non-title super bantamweight contest.

Martin, who boosted his card to 27-0-0, outshone Diapen in their 10-round clash after the judges agreed to a 98-91, 97-92, 98-90 score.

The pride of Cordillera is now gunning for a title match in the coming months.