Timing is everything in boxing and it needs to align for WBC strawweight titleholder Melvin Jerusalem to face Ring, WBA and WBO ruler Oscar Collazo next.

The two first met in May 2023, when Collazo stopped Jerusalem in seven rounds to claim the WBO title. Since then, the Filipino has regrouped, won the WBC title and made three successful defenses. Both sides have expressed their desire to run it back, but so far it hasn’t happened.

Jerusalem (25-3, 12 KOs) is hopeful that can change next year.

“I heard Collazo wants to fight me again,” Jerusalem told The Ring. “I think he wants to fight me February 13. It is very near, that’s why my team didn’t accept. If they extend the fight to March or April [we can fight].”

The 31-year-old Jerusalem, who is coming off a 12-round, unanimous-decision win over Siya Kuse on October 29, felt the first fight with Puerto Rico’s Collazo (13-0, 10 KOs) was going well until it wasn’t. He doesn’t want to make the same mistake again.

“Just give time, so I can adjust to the time [difference],” Jerusalem said. “Maybe more than 10 days. I think we went to America and it was a little tight [to adjust] … Because of the jetlag, I sleep only 2-3 hours a day. Collazo is a good boxer. That is why we need to train perfect to be the best.”

Jerusalem's manager, Marivic Matsuura, of course wants her fighter to be in optimal condition.

“Melvin’s dream is to be undisputed in his division and he will do his best to achieve it,” Matsuura said. “We really want to make it happen. We want Melvin to fight in his best condition and give all fans a good fight and performance in the ring. We just need enough preparation this time. We hope that Team Collazo understands from our side. We want to give them a good fight.”