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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
“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.”
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Past Week in Action 14 April 2025: Ennis Stops Stanionis in 6, Unifies IBF/WBA Welter Titles; Spencer Defeats Suarez; Pro Boxing Returns in Cuba; Astrolabio, Nietes Win in Manila
By Eric Armit, Tue, 15 Apr 2025Inoue on Replacement, Mismatch Spree
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 15 Apr 2025FUNDORA VS. BADILLO UNDERCARD TO BE STACKED WITH GOLDEN BOY’S FUTURE STARS
Tue, 15 Apr 2025NM Nika Juris Nicolas finishes fourth in Cincinnati Chess Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 15 Apr 2025May 10: Andres Cortes-Salvador Jimenez Junior Lightweight Showdown Featured on Navarrete-Suarez Undercard at Pechanga Arena San Diego LIVE on ESPN+
Tue, 15 Apr 2025BOOTS AND HEARN TELL WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONS – DARE TO BE GREAT!
Tue, 15 Apr 2025UNDEFEATED BANTAMWEIGHT ANTHONY GARNICA READY TO SHINE IN 2ND MAIN EVENT AGAINST ASTON PALICTE ON APRIL 19
Tue, 15 Apr 2025Kevin Brown Training Camp Notes
Tue, 15 Apr 2025Undefeated Dallas Super Middleweight Sam Arnold III returns home to Graduate from Prospect to Contender
Tue, 15 Apr 2025King's Promotions Adds Boxing Commentating Trailblazer Claudia Trejos Ambassador For Women's Boxing
Tue, 15 Apr 2025Cebuano Caparino in a tie for lead in Bangkok tourney; Bernardino bounces back
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 15 Apr 2025LA Clippers Beat Golden State in OT, 124-119, Drop Dubs to Play-in Versus Memphis Grizzlies
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 14 Apr 2025Almost P2 million in prizes up for grabs as RFS Onslaught kicks off in Vermosa, Cavite
Mon, 14 Apr 2025The Civic’s Sacred Ring: Filipino Fighters and the Heart of San Francisco
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 14 Apr 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN SET TO FACE BADOU JACK FOR WBC CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP ON MAY 3 IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
Mon, 14 Apr 2025