MASAM SPORTS 82: MELVIN JERUSALEM CHALLENGES MASATAKA TANIGUCHI FOR THE WBO MINIMUMWEIGHT TITLE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 15 Nov 2022
Jerusalem (R) and Taniguchi (L).
Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem now got the rare chance of becoming the Philippines' next world champion when he challenges the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) world minimumweigh champion Masataka Taniguchi of Japan on January 6, 2023 in Osaka, Japan.
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The 28-year-old Jerusalem of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, a former standout of the defunct ALA Gym, told CDN Digital that he had been waiting for this fight for many years already.
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“I’ve been waiting for this for many years. God gave me this opportunity to fight for a world championship again, but this time, I’m more prepared. I’ve learned a lot of lessons while waiting for this shot,” said Jerusalem, now a fighter of the ZIP Sanman Boxing Team.
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Jerusalem previously fought for a world title in 2017 against Wanheng Menayothin, now known as Chayapon Moonsri, for the World Boxing Council (WBC) world minimumweight title. But Jerusalem lost via unanimous decision in that title match.
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Jerusalem then won eight of his nine bouts and garnered the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) minimumweight title. In his latest outing, he won against Michael Camelion in General Santos City via a technical knockout, raising his record to 19 wins with 11 knockouts and two losses.
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“It’s okay for me if it took very long to get another shot for a world title. I learned a lot of lessons while waiting which is a good thing to add to my experience. To my opponent, I wish him good luck, but I will do my best to bring home the world title to the Philippines again,” said Jerusalem.
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Jerusalem is the No. 2 contender in the WBO and he is ranked No. 3 WBC, No. 5 WBA, and No. 4 IBF in the minimumweight division, making him currently one of the hottest Filipino fighters.
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Jerusalem and Kevin Jake Cataraja, are scheduled to travel to Japan to train on November 18. They will be joined by his trainer Michael Domingo and Jeo Santisima, who is scheduled to fight there next month.
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“To all Filipino boxing fans out there, thank you for all your support. I promise everyone that I will do my best to bring home the world title to the Philippines,” said Jerusalem.
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Taniguchi is a dangerous opponent since he won the WBO minimumweight crown in his second attempt. His first title venture was unsuccessful when he was defeated by Vic Saludar on February 26, 2019 by unanimous decision in Tokyo, Japan.
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He seized the WBO minimumweight title belt on December 14, 2021 by stopping Wilfredo Mendez by 11th round TKO in Japan. After losing to Saludar he won all his five bouts including the title fight against Mendez.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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