After Golden Gloves broke the bank to bring Melvin Jerusalem to South Africa, Siyakholwa Kuse has declared that winning his fight against the Filipino boxer is the only way to thank his promoters for making the rematch a possibility.
Kuse will once again face off against Jerusalem as he attempts to wrestle the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight title away from the 32-year-old Filipino, who’s on a five-fight winning run.
With home advantage, Mdantsane-born Kuse, who celebrates his 27th birthday three days after the Jerusalem fight, strongly believes that he’s going to make history by becoming the first WBC champion from the Eastern Cape.
“I have to win this fight. Firstly, to show appreciation to Golden Gloves for making sure that I fight here at home and also for putting their trust in me. Secondly, I want to get an early birthday present as I will be turning 27 on the 19th of May,” Kuse remarked.
The former South African, African Boxing Union (ABU) and WBC Silver minimumweight champion added: “We are working very hard, preparing for this fight. I don’t care whether Jerusalem will arrive in the country three weeks before the fight or not, I must win the belt.”
Kuse put up a very brave performance when they first met in Manila, Philippines, in October last year. However, he lost on points as all three judges – Australian Samantha Bulber (115-113), Jun Bae Lin from Korea Republic (116-112) and Mongolian Zanashir Taznaa (116-112) – gave Jerusalem the nod. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
