February 20, 2026 - Filipino boxing fans were taken aback this week when Melvin Jerusalem, the reigning WBC minimumweight world champion long known for his quiet demeanor, appeared to shed his usually reserved persona on social media. What began as cryptic posts regarding the stalled negotiations for a long-anticipated unification bout against Oscar Collazo soon escalated into a public exchange of barbs, an unusual development for a champion who has largely let his fists do the talking.

The moment that truly surprised observers, however, came when Sean Gibbons, a longtime boxing manager who has previously worked with Jerusalem, entered the conversation publicly and sharply rebuked the champion. The exchange, now widely circulated, raised eyebrows not merely for its tone, but for what it revealed about the often unseen complexities of boxing negotiations.

To understand how matters reached this point, one must first revisit how the Collazo sweepstakes unfolded.

A Rare Moment for Philippine Boxing

At present, the Philippines boasts two reigning world champions at minimumweight: Pedro Taduran, holder of the IBF title, and Jerusalem, who carries the WBC belt. Both successfully defended their titles in October 2025 on separate cards, coincidentally both billed as “Thrilla in Manila,” a footnote that only added intrigue to an already compelling narrative.

In the aftermath, instead of clamoring for a domestic unification, both champions independently expressed interest in pursuing a unification bout against Collazo, widely regarded as the division’s most accomplished technician and a natural focal point for legacy-defining fights.

Negotiations Behind Closed Doors

According to multiple reliable sources, Jerusalem’s camp entered direct negotiations with Team Collazo as early as December during the WBC Convention. These talks reportedly progressed significantly far enough that draft contracts were exchanged and agreed upon by both sides. One critical element, however, remained outstanding: final approval from DAZN, the broadcaster expected to underwrite a substantial portion of the event.

An initial February date was proposed but later moved to March at Jerusalem’s request, allowing more preparation time for what was expected to be a high-stakes unification bout. While the agreement was never formally announced, several media outlets reported on the fight as being close to completion, reinforcing the belief that the bout was imminent.

Parallel Paths, One Target

Unbeknownst to the public, Taduran’s camp was also exploring a possible Collazo fight, aided by Gibbons. With no official announcement made, this overlap was not, in itself, unusual, boxing negotiations often involve multiple exploratory discussions until contracts are finalized.

Ultimately, Collazo elected not to pursue a bout with Taduran, prompting the IBF champion to pivot. Taduran is now scheduled to defend his title in April against Gustavo Perez at Pechanga Resort Casino, allowing his career momentum to continue.

Delays, Decisions, and Disappointment

Sources close to Jerusalem’s camp indicate that the WBC champion was even willing, at one point, to step aside should Taduran secure the unification first, a gesture reflective of the cooperative dynamic that initially existed between the camps.

However, as plans reverted to Collazo–Jerusalem, a new obstacle emerged. Golden Boy Promotions, the prospective promoter, reportedly required full financial commitment from DAZN to move forward. That backing did not materialize in time, leading to the postponement and eventual cancellation of the March 14, 2026 date.

The final blow came on February 14, when Jerusalem’s team was formally informed that the fight would not proceed as scheduled. Compounding the frustration were reports that Collazo would instead face another opponent around the same period, deepening the sense of disappointment.

Why the Frustration Ran Deep

What casual observers may not have known is that Jerusalem had already begun an intensive training camp as early as December. He reportedly sacrificed holidays, family time, and personal commitments to prepare for what he viewed as a career-defining rematch, one fueled not only by professional ambition, but by personal redemption.

While it is generally ill-advised to book travel and logistics before contracts are fully signed, the emotional toll of such preparation, combined with financial outlays already made by members of his support team cannot be easily dismissed. In that context, Jerusalem’s visible frustration, while regrettable in its public expression, becomes more understandable.

Lessons in the Social Media Era

There is no denying that airing grievances publicly carries risks, particularly for professional athletes whose careers depend on relationships, reputation, and negotiation leverage. At the same time, the incident underscores a broader lesson for the boxing community: social media, while a powerful promotional tool, can quickly magnify misunderstandings and harden positions when emotions run high.

It also serves as a reminder that boxing is rarely as simple as “a fight falling through.” Beneath every cancellation lies a web of broadcasters, promoters, managers, financial guarantees, and timing any one of which can derail even the most promising matchup.

Moving Forward

The early months of 2026 have not been kind to Philippine boxing narratives, and public disputes such as this offer little comfort to fans eager for unity and progress within the sport. Still, moments like these can also be instructive, highlighting the importance of communication, patience, and professionalism in an industry where uncertainty is often the only constant.

This account is not intended to assign blame, but to provide clarity and context. Boxing remains a shared ecosystem, and its growth depends on cooperation as much as competition.

Pow Salud of Powcast Sports remains open to clarification from all parties involved should any factual corrections or additional context be necessary.