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:
Pacquiao and Barrios Make Weight: Final Hurdle Cleared for Blockbuster Saturday Night
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Usyk Registers Career-Heaviest Weight as Dubois Looks Ready for Undisputed Rematch at Wembley
Sat, 19 Jul 2025Rodriguez vs. Cafu Unification Clash Set for Frisco, Texas; All Fighters Make Weight
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 19 Jul 2025LOPEZ VS. VARGAS WEIGHTS FROM PECHANGA RESORT CASINO
Sat, 19 Jul 2025“Bambol” Tolentino in Las Vegas: Supporting Filipino Athletes and Pacquiao
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 18 Jul 2025Unstoppable: Team Philippines Storms Into Davis Cup Finals After Qatar Sweep
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 18 Jul 2025Blu Girls Stumble Against Taipei, Look to Regroup vs. Hong Kong
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 18 Jul 2025Fighting for clean sweep
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 18 Jul 2025WBA No. 2 Heavyweight Contender Michael Hunter Is Ready to Take on World Champion Kubrat Pulev; All Systems Go for Purse Bid Winner Don King
Fri, 18 Jul 2025Weights from Panama City; WBA Women's Interim Superfly Title at Stake
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 18 Jul 2025Undefeated prospect Pryce Taylor Working hard to join Brooklyn’s Elite list of top heavyweight boxers
Fri, 18 Jul 2025Justin Goossen-Brown Set to Make DAZN Broadcasting Debut This Friday at Boxlab Promotions’ Night of Champions in Orlando
Fri, 18 Jul 2025Philippine Davis Cup Team Sweeps Kuwait to Stay Unbeaten in Group IV
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 18 Jul 2025Pacquiao Promises Surprise Against Barrios
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 18 Jul 2025PACQUIAO VS. BARRIOS UNDERCARD MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Fri, 18 Jul 2025