Jerusalem faces Canoy in Pinoy Pride 41

Cebuano boxing fans are in for a treat as former world title challenger Melvin Jerusalem faces up-and-comer Joey Canoy next month in a fight between two top prospects of the minimumweight division.

“That should be a good fight,” ALA Gym head trainer Edito Villa- mor, who did the matchmaking, told SunStar Cebu.

The Jerusalem vs. Canoy bout headlines the undercard of Pinoy Pride 41 at the IEC Convention Center on July 8.

The 23-year-old Jerusalem is coming off a unanimous decision defeat against World Boxing Council ( WBC) minimumweight division champion Wanheng Menayothin last January. He earned a lot of fans after his gritty performance against the unbeaten Menayothin in Thailand. It also earned him a lofty No. 3 rank.

“I will do my best to win this,” said Jerusalem of his up- coming fight.

Canoy, a speedy southpaw, is also coming off the biggest bout of his career thus far, an eighth round stoppage loss against former world champion Hekkie Budler for the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) light flyweight belt in South Africa. He is eager to bounce back.

“He has a 50-50 chance, that’s what I see, because both of them are well prepared,” said Canoy’s coach Brix Flores. “They are both very good fighters. Whoever is tougher and whoever has the bigger heart should win this.”