Single not for long?
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 13 Jan 2023
Newly-crowned WBO minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem shyly avoided the question when he was asked if marriage was on his mind a few days after he wrested the crown from Japanese Masataka Taniguchi via a second round stoppage in Osaka last Friday. But he broke into a smile as his Japanese girlfriend Yurino sat beside him during the PlayItRightTV interview. Then, Jerusalem admitted Yurino is his inspiration. Still, he wouldn’t reveal if a wedding is in the works.
Jerusalem, 28, is managed by Japanese Nobuyuki Matsuura and his Filipina wife Mhavic with JC Manangquil of General Santos City’s SanMan his promoter. He was formerly with the ALA stable. Over seven years ago, Jerusalem’s father Bienvenido died in his sleep at 47 in Bukidnon. The tragic loss left Jerusalem, the third of six children, in a state of flux. He lost interest in boxing after dropping a close but unanimous decision to WBC 105-pound champion Wanheng Menayothin in Thailand then bowed to Joey Canoy in his next fight. “Nawalaan ako ng gana,” disclosed Jerusalem, no doubt missing his father who used to earn a living as a single-motor driver picking up passengers for a fee of P10 to P20. It was his father who told him someday, he would become a world champion.
From back-to-back losses, Jerusalem convinced himself to resume fighting for his mother Miraluna, a Del Monte pineapple plantation employee. It was the only way he knew how to augment the family’s income. A rejuvenated Jerusalem went on to score eight wins in a row and earned a second shot at the world crown. This time, he wouldn’t be denied in fulfilling his father’s dream. A single blow dropped Taniguchi on his back in the second round. Taniguchi struggled to get back on his feet and was on all fours trying to beat referee Roberto Ramirez, Jr.’s count. He got up then slumped back on the canvas, prompting Ramirez to wave it off.
Jerusalem said he couldn’t believe the quick ending. He never planned for it. The fight strategy was to dominate every round without looking for a knockout. Actually, Jerusalem didn’t get off to a strong start as two of the three judges scored the first round for Taniguchi. In the second frame, the Japanese walked straight into Jerusalem’s strike zone and his southpaw defense opened up like a bright light in a dark room. Jerusalem beat Taniguchi to the punch and landed a right straight smack on his chin. Manangquil said Taniguchi underestimated Jerusalem. Before the fight, Taniguchi told media that he could take Jerusalem’s power with no problem.
Jerusalem said he’ll fight whomever Matsuura and Manangquil decide for his next fight. Manangquil said it’s every titleholder’s goal to unify the championship so when the opportunity comes, he’ll match Jerusalem against IBF ruler Daniel Valladares or WBC king Panya Pradabsri or super WBA titlist Knockout CP Freshmart or regular WBA beltholder Erick Rosa. At the moment, Jerusalem is celebrating the country’s return to the world championship circle inspired by his Japanese girlfriend.
Photo: Melvin Jerusalem is one of the attendees during the Milan Milan vs Chaiwat Buatkrathok OPBF title fight at the Cebu City Sports Center in Cebu last Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. Photo by Dong Secuya / PhilBoxing.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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