COLLAZO DETHRONES JERUSALEM BY 7TH ROUND TKO
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 28 May 2023
Oscar Collazo made history by becoming the fastest Puerto Rican world champion in his 7th fight by stopping defending champion WBO Melvin Jerusalem of the Philippines in the 7th round at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, CA Saturday night (Sunday in Manila).
Jerusalem started very well by dictating the tempo of the fight in the first three round connecting with precision punches that held Collazo at bay and inflicting a welt below the left eye of the Puerto Rican. But after Collazo connected to the head and body of Jerusalem in the 4th round everything abruptly changed for Jerusalem who suddenly was on his back foot and was too timid to return fire.
A continuing body shots by Collazo going forward broke down Jerusalem who appeared to lost steam by the 5th round and by the 6th clearly was already a defeated man with Referee Ray Corona just waiting for the right moment to stop the fight. Although Jerusalem tried his best to stay standing and threw several counterpuches in the midst of Collazo's undending barrage of combos, it was clear that there was nothing left from the Filipino. But he was able to finish the round.
Back in his corner, Jerusalem was asked by his trainer Michael Domingo if he wants to continue where he shook his head in surrender.
The undefeated Collazo thus captured the WBO minimumweight title in his 7th pro fight and delivered to his promoters Golden Boy and Miguel Cotto Promotions the belt in exchange for their faith in his capabilities.
Jerusalem lost the title he won by knocking out Masataka Taniguchi in Japan last January 6 and absorbed the third loss of his career and dropped to 20-3-0, 12KOs.
After Jerusalem's loss, the Philippines now has only one world champion in Marlon Tapales.
Photo: Melvin Jerusalem has his hands wrapped before his fight against Oscar Collazo at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California on May 27, 2023. Photo by Jhay Otamias / PhilBoxing.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
60 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
Mon, 30 Mar 2026Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 30 Mar 2026Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
Sun, 29 Mar 2026Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 29 Mar 2026Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
Sun, 29 Mar 2026Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 29 Mar 2026Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
Sat, 28 Mar 2026GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
Sat, 28 Mar 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Barrière and Akdeniz win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos)
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters
Sat, 28 Mar 2026Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 28 Mar 2026