Jerusalem never expected KO win
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 08 Jan 2023
Melvin Jerusalem was as shocked as defending WBO minimumweight champion Masataka Taniguchi when he scored a TKO win with a single punch at 1:04 of the second round to wrest the 105-pound crown in Osaka last Friday. “Di ko inaasahan,” said the Bukidnon fighter. “Pero naniniwala ako na walang imposible.”
Jerusalem’s promoter JC Manangquil of General Santos City’s SanMan Promotions said the plan wasn’t to go for an early ending. “Balak namin to dominate every round,” disclosed Manangquil who worked Jerusalem’s corner with trainer Michael Domingo. “Confident si Melvin pero sa first round, it was close. Si Taniguchi ang nag-apply ng pressure. Sa second round, labas pasok si Melvin, naghahanap ng opening. Paglapit ni Taniguchi, inunahan ni Melvin at swak yung right straight sa baba. Bagsak siya, bumangon tapos bumagsak uli kaya hininto ng referee (Roberto Ramirez, Jr.).” Two of the three judges scored the first round for Taniguchi.
Jerusalem, 28, timed his killer blow perfectly, penetrating Taniguchi’s southpaw defense like a slashing knife. Taniguchi fell on his back, struggled on all fours, got up, wobbled on rubbery legs and crumpled to the canvas once more, prompting Ramirez to wave it off. Manangquil said the Japanese champion underestimated Jerusalem. Taniguchi showed no footwork, no head movement and went straight at Jerusalem looking for a homerun. Jerusalem counter-punched at the onset but when Taniguchi moved in and exposed himself in the pocket without throwing a punch, he was an easy target. The win raised Jerusalem’s record to 20-2, with 12 KOs.
Jerusalem began his pro career with Tony Aldeguer’s stable and fought under the nom de guerre Gringo. When ALA closed boxing operations, Jerusalem was signed up by Manangquil in partnership with Japanese group ZIP Management of Nobuyuki Matsuura and Mhavic Kamiyama. In 2017, Jerusalem lost in his first bid to win a world title, dropping a close but unanimous decision to WBC minimumweight titlist Wanheng Menayothin in Thailand. A few months later, he was outpointed by Joey Canoy then recovered to win eight in a row and earn a crack at Taniguchi’s throne. Jerusalem and his traveling party returned to Manila yesterday evening.
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