JERUSALEM TKO's TANIGUCHI IN 2, BECOMES PH NEW WORLD CHAMPION
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 06 Jan 2023
Melvin 'Gringo' Jerusalem made an auspicious start for Philippine boxing for 2023 when he stopped Masataka Taniguchi of Japan in the second round at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan Friday night, January 6, to become the country's new world champion. Jerusalem wrested Taniguchi's WBO minimumweight crown.
Jerusalem who hails from Bukidnon in Mindanao, perfectly timed a right straight to the middle that squarely landed on Taniguchi's jaw sending the Japanese to the canvas at the 1 minute mark of the second round. Taniguchi immediately stood up to beat the count but his legs were no longer there to support him, he staggered, and went down again. He tried to stand up again but veteran Puerto Rican referee Roberto Ramirez Jnr waved off the contest after seeing that Taniguchi was unfit to continue as Jerusalem jumped up and down in the neutral corner realizing that he has just become The New....
After the Philippines lost all of its six world champions last year, Jerusalem has started the year with a big bang, probably ushering in other Filipino fighters to bring back the country's glory in the sport when they will fight for a world championship this year.
Jerusalem's victory is Sanman Boxing Gym's second world champion after Dave Apolinario captured the IBO flyweight title last July from South Africa's Gideon Buthelezi. Jerusalem, who started as a pro under the defunct ALA Gym of Cebu, previously fought for a world title but lost to Thailand's long time WBC champion Wanheng Meenayothin in 2017.
Tanuguchi won the WBO belt from Puerto Rico's Wilfredo Mendez in December, 2021. Mendez previously grabbed the belt from Vic Saludar of the Philippines in 2019. Taniguchi defended the belt once against compatriot Kai Ishizawa last April before succumbing to Jerusalem.
Jerusalem now improves his record to 20 wins with two loses. He stopped 12 of his opponents inside the distance.
It was not a good night for Japan and the Japanese fans in the famed Edion Arena in Osaka as in the co-main event, highly touted Japanese amateur standout Ginjero Shigeoka failed to wrest Daniel Valladares's IBF 105 belt after the fight ended in a no-contest in the third round and in a bizarre fashion quite similar to the Casimero vs Akaho fight in South Korea last December.
Fast southpaw Shigeoka appeared to have Valladares's number after he dominated the Mexican in the first two rounds but after an accidental headbutt happened in the third round, Valladares complained too much to Referee Chris Flores that he could not continue which the US referee acceded. The totally frustrated Shigeoka cried after realizing that the championship belt has slipped from his fingers.
Valladares who won the IBF belt from Filipino Rene Cuarto last July, will head back home with his belt intact but with the inconclusive result, a rematch probably is in order.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sanman 100 Official Weigh-In Results from General Santos
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Subkhankulov stops Usmonov, Agrba wins hard test, and Aminova claims WBA Asia title at IBA.PRO 17 in Ufa
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Pero vs Miller: Heavies Collide in Prove it fight on DAZN
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Apr 2026Subkhankulov Stops Usmonov in Russia, Claims IBF No. 2 Spot at Lightweight
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Yeow Ming to fight in Bangkok for ABF title
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 25 Apr 2026MILLER VS. PERO - WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
Sat, 25 Apr 2026IBA Pro Champions Night to feature world champions in Saint Petersburg
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Noelle Haro and Marie Rosendo Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Four of 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Bautista to face Dulayba at Okada on April 30
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 25 Apr 2026LAS VEGAS FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS MILLER AND PERO COLLIDE IN WBA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR – LIVE ON DAZN
Fri, 24 Apr 2026Undefeated Knockout Artist Amari “The Reaper” Jones Headlines First-Ever DAZN Card Against Former World Champion Vincenzo “Il Capo” Gualtieri
Fri, 24 Apr 2026Mexican female stars Mayelli Flores and Irma ¨Torbellino¨ Garcia sign with MVP
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Basil to fight Britanico on April 26 in Delpan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Race briefing of Mt. Apo Boulder Face on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Into fights for IBA championship on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026