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:
Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 08 Jan 2026Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
Thu, 08 Jan 2026Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 08 Jan 20262026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 08 Jan 2026World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Wed, 07 Jan 2026Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
Wed, 07 Jan 2026Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 05 Jan 2026SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 05 Jan 202687th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 05 Jan 2026Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 02 Jan 2026Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
Fri, 02 Jan 2026Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
Thu, 01 Jan 2026