MASAM SPORTS 35: MELVIN JERUSALEM WANTS TO CHALLENGE RENE MARK CUARTO FOR THE IBF MINIMUMWEIGHT TITLE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 12 Feb 2022
World minimumweight contender Melvin Jerusalem is hoping that he could challenge International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion Rene Mark Cuarto. Jerusalem watched the IBF world minimumweight championship rematch between Cuarto and Pedro Taduran at the Digos City Coliseum in Digos City last February 6, 2022.
“That was a great fight. It was very competitive. But it would be better if I get the title shot next,” Jerusalem was quoted by SunStar Cebu.
Cuarto remained as the IBF minimumweight champion with a majority decision victory over former titlist Pedro Taduran. The bout was stopped by referee Danrex Tapdasan in the seventh round due to a deep cut on Taduran caused by an accidental headbutt.
The aborted fight has to go to the judges' scorecards. Judge Silvestre Abainza had it 65-64, and Nicolas Banal, 66-64 both for Cuarto. Judge Brembot Dulalas scored the bout a 65-65 draw.
Without the two-point deduction slapped on Cuarto for an intentional headbutt in the second round, the decision would have been unanimous for the defending champion.
Jerusalem is currently ranked among the top five in the minimumweight/strawweight division in the four major world boxing sanctioning bodies. The 27-year-old former ALA Gym standout is rated No. 3 by the IBF, No. 1 by the WBO, No. 2 by the WBC and No. 5 by the WBA.
“That will be a very competitive fight. I will do everything I can to win that belt,” declared Jerusalem if given the chance to face Cuarto for the championship.
Since the top two IBF contender spots are vacant, Jerusalem could be an outright challenger for title if given a chance by the body, being the highest-ranked minimumweight contender at No. 3.
Another chance of a championship shot is to fight for a world title eliminator for the No. 1 position against the highest-ranked fighter in the other boxing governing bodies.
“I think I can beat him. I’ll fight my fight. I can easily adjust to my opponent’s style,” said Jerusalem, the pride of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
He lost his first attempt at the world title bout on January 25, 2017 against Chayaphon Moonsri a.k.a. Wenhang Menayothin of Thailand for the WBC world minimumweight title by a close unanimous decision with the scores of 115-113, 114-113 and 114-113 at Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Jerusalem was deducted a point in the eight round for a low blow. Without the subtraction, the bout would have resulted in a majority draw. Menayothin is considered as the best minimumweight fighter in the world.
After losing to Menayothin, Jerusalem suffered another loss to countryman Joey Canoy by unanimous decision on July 8, 2017 at the IC3 Convention Center, Cebu City.
Jerusalem recovered and seized a six-fight winning streak and won the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) minimumweight title by defeating Toto Landero in their rematch at Tabunoc Sports Complex, Talisay, Cebu. The judges scored the fight 118–110, 118-110 and 116–112 all for Jerusalem.
Jerusalem (17-2, 10 KOs) is scheduled for an eight-round tune-up fight against Ramel Antaran of Malungon, Sarangani on February 26 in Gen. Santos City. Alias "Gringo" is currently training at the Sanman Gym, and sparring with Randy Petalcorin, Vince Paras and Joey Canoy.
Cuarto’s trainer Nonoy Neri said Cuarto will fight in Mexico against Daniel Valladares in April. Valladares, 27, of Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico was Taduran’s first IBF title challenger on February 1, 2020 and they fought to a technical majority draw in the fourth round in the Mexican's hometown.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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