SPORTSCLOPEDIA 6: MELVIN JERUSALEM VOWS TO SEIZE WBO MINIMUMWEIGHT TITLE FROM MASATAKA TANIGUCHI
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 05 Jan 2023
Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem vowed to do his best to wrest the world title when he faces reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) world minimumweight champion Masataka Taniguchi on January 6, 2023, at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan.
* * *
Jerusalem, age 28, of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, challenged WBC straw weight champion Wanheng Menayothin on January 25, 2017. Jerusalem was deducted a point in the eighth round for connecting a low blow and Menayothin won by a close unanimous decision. Without the point deduction, the bout would have been decided in a majority draw.
* * *
After that first professional loss, Jerusalem fought Joey Canoy on the undercard of the "Pinoy Pride 41" on July 8, 2017. He lost the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 95–93, 95–93 and 96–92. In that match, Jerusalem was knocked down in the seventh round and was deducted a point in the eight round for several low blows.
* * *
Jerusalem fought Jestoni Racoma at "Pinoy Pride 43" on November 25, 2017 and won by unanimous decision, 78–74, 80–72, 80–82. Then he faced Philip Luis Cuerdo on June 9, 2018, at "Pinoy Pride 44." He won the fight via an eight-round technical knockout.
* * *
Jerusalem then defeated Toto Landero on November 10, 2018 by unanimous decision, 97–93, 98–92, 98-92. Next fight was against Reymark Taday on August 17, 2019 and Jerusalem won the fight by a seventh-round stoppage. Then Jerusalem stopped Jayson Francisco by a second-round knockout on December 17, 2020.
* * *
Jerusalem again defeated Toto Landero for the vacant OPBF strawweight title on July 16, 2021, winning the rematch by unanimous decision, 118–110, 118-110, 116–112. Jerusalem beat Ramel Antaran on February 26, 2022 by unanimous decision, 79–73, 79-73, 77–75.
* * *
Masataka Taniguchi, age 28, of Kobe, Japan, a southpaw, stands 5 ft 4 in (163 cm). He has 16 wins, 11 by KOs with 3 losses. Jerusalem is 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) and an orthodox fighter. He has 19 wins, 11 by KOs, with 2 losses.
* * *
Taniguchi won the WBO mini-flyweight title by stopping Wilfredo Méndez of Puerto Rico via eleventh round TKO on December 14, 2021 at Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan.
* * *
He defended his WBO title once by defeating countryman Kai Ishizawa via eleventh round TKO on April 22, 2022 at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 26 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI OPEN WORKOUTS COMPLETE AS UNDISPUTED KING INOUE GETS READY FOR PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
Thu, 25 Dec 20253-Time, 2-Division World Champion & IBF No. 1, Mandatory Bantamweight World Title Challenger Miyo Yoshida long overdue for her 8th World title fight
Thu, 25 Dec 2025Game On! 1st Paower Pickleball Cup Ignites Action in San Fernando
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 25 Dec 2025Late Replacement Tellez Ready to Shock the World Against Amanda Serrano for WBA & WBO Featherweight Titles on January 3 in Puerto Rico
Wed, 24 Dec 2025The Pryce is right again!
Wed, 24 Dec 2025Postal Stamp Honoring Muhammad Ali will be present in January 15
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 24 Dec 2025O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SIGNS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Wed, 24 Dec 2025Isabela Chess University Wins Region 2 Chess League Title
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 24 Dec 2025Cristobal stops Beltran in the 6th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Dec 2025VENUE/DATE CHANGE: Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH AT THE WAR MEMORIAL IN TRENTON
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Raquinel suffers 2nd setback in SA
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Dec 2025Oakland Municipal Auditorium: Sacred Hall Where Filipino Boxing World Champions Were Crowned
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 23 Dec 2025IBA confirms Men’s World Boxing Championships results
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Jordan Launches Pro Boxing Scene Appointing Amer Abdallah as Advisor
Tue, 23 Dec 2025