SPORTSCLOPEDIA 8: MELVIN JERUSALEM WINS WBO MINIMUMWEIGHT TITLE DETHRONING MASATAKA TANIGUCHI BY SHOCKING SECOND ROUND KNOCKOUT
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 07 Jan 2023
Melvin Jerusalem has brought back the glory to Philippine boxing when he fulfilled his vow to seize the title from Japan's Masataka Taniguchi with a stunning second-round knockout. Jerusalem floored Taniguchi with a thundering straight right hand in the second round, as the referee waived the fight at 1:04 of the second stanza at Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan.
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Taniguchi was known to be a slow starter but did put up a better fight in the opening round. Jerusalem tried to rid of the champion's quick left hands who targeted the Filipino confidently to the head and body and cheered by the local fans.
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The fight started slow at the early part of round two as Taniguchi analyzed the stance of his challenger. Jerusalem this time was very careful of the Japanese's stinging left hand. Jerusalem threw a quick jab and followed it up by a staggering right hand that landed straight on Taniguchi’s face, sending the home champ to the canvas on his back.
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Taniguchi tried to beat the mandatory eight-count but his legs were wobbly, prompting referee Robert Ramirez Jr. to waive the fight. Jerusalem's cornermen rushed to the ring in jubilation as a new Filipino world champion is crowned.
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It was the first world title change of the year 2023. It also signaled the revival of Philippine world titlists and erased the stigma of a sad year 2022 for the country, who ended the year without a single reigning titleholder following losses suffered by five Filipino world champions last year.
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Mark Magsayo failed in his first title defense, losing the WBC featherweight belt to Mexico’s Rey Vargas via split decision despite scoring a ninth-round knockdown. Longtime IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas lost to Fernando Martinez of Argentina by unanimous decision. John Riel Casimero was stripped of his WBO bantamweight belt after he failed to defend it against Paul Butler two times.
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Nonito Donaire lasted less than two rounds against top pound-for-pound fighter Naoya Inoue in their much-awaited unification rematch and bid his WBC bantamweight title goodbye. Rene Cuarto lost his IBF minimumweight belt by a split decision loss to Mexican Daniel Valladares.
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WBO will rule whether Jerusalem can select a voluntary title defense or if the governing body will determine a mandatory challenger to face the new champion.
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It was the ninth straight win for Jerusalem who improved his record to 20-2, 12KOs while Taniguchi fell to 16-4, 11KOs. The 28-year-old Jerusalem, followed the championship records of countrymen Merlito Sabillo, who was the WBO mini-flyweight title holder in 2013, and Donnie Nietes, who reigned as WBO 105-pound champ from 2007-2010 before moving up to light flyweight.
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“This victory is for the Philippines and for my family,” said Jerusalem as quoted by Boxing Scene. ”This also goes out to my Zip-Sanman team. Of course, I am thankful to my coach Michael Domingo who worked hard with me during training camp. I will not stop training hard after this.”
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Jerusalem was fighting outside the Philippines for just the second time in his career. His first overseas fight was his loss to Wanheng Menayothin by unanimous decision on January 25, 2017 at Provincial Stadium, Phitsanulok, Thailand for the WBC strawweight title.
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Jerusalem had his professional debut July 13, 2014 beating Michael Camelion by a four-round unanimous decision at ACSAT Gymnasium, Carmen, Cebu.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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