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:
Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 10 May 2026Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results)
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 10 May 2026Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 10 May 2026Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 10 May 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
Sat, 09 May 2026IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 09 May 2026Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 09 May 2026Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 09 May 2026Keyshawn Davis: "Nahir Albright’s Going To Be the Fourth Guy I Stop in a Row!"
Sat, 09 May 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 08 May 2026Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 08 May 2026IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City
Fri, 08 May 2026Laurente to promote amateur boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 08 May 2026Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale
Fri, 08 May 2026Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’
Fri, 08 May 2026