SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 30: MELVIN JERUSALEM AND MARLON TAPALES ARE FIRST BOXERS OF THE YEAR AWARDEES FOR PACQUIAO-ELORDE AWARDS NIGHT
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 30 Jan 2024
Former world champions Melvin Jerusalem and Marlon Tapales will be honored in the upcoming Pacquiao-Elorde Awards night scheduled on March 25, 2024, at Okada Manila.
* * *
The two former world champions will historically be bestowed as the first “Boxers of the Year” awardees of the first Pacquiao-Elorde Awards Night, in lieu of the annual Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Boxing Awards & Banquet.
* * *
The 45-year-old Manny Pacquiao now supports the great achievements of the Elordes, who for the past two decades have been giving accolades to Filipino boxers in the Elorde annual awards night.
* * *
The 29-year-old Jerusalem became the World Boxing Organization (WBO) world minimumweight champion last January 6, 2023, after a second-round technical knockout of Masataka Taniguchi in Osaka, Japan.
* * *
He earned the world title in his second attempt after failing in his first world title shot on January 25, 2017 against Thai Wanheng Menayothin in his hometown in Phitsanulok, Thailand.
* * *
Jerusalem (21-3, 12 KOs) is now training rigidly in Cebu for a possible world title shot this year. He lost the WBO world championship in his first title defense last May 27 in Indio, California against Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico via a seventh-round stoppage. Jerusalem now remains a world caliber fighter as WBC No. 6 and WBO No. 4 contender.
* * *
The 31-year-old Tapales (37-4, 19 KOs) became the unified WBA super world super bantamweight and IBF world super bantamweight champion last April 8, 2023. He dethroned Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan via split decision in San Antonio, Texas, United States.
* * *
Tapales went on to fight the Japanese world pound-for-pound superstar Naoya Inoue last December 26 in Tokyo, Japan in an attempt to become the undisputed super bantamweight world champion. But unluckily, Tapales lost via a 10th-round knockout. Despite the loss to Inoue, Tapales maintained high world rankings, as he is rated as WBC No. 3, WBA No. 5 and IBF No. 5 contender.
* * *
Most World Title Fight Wins:
Manny Pacquiao - 19
Donnie Nietes - 17
Nonito Donaire - 17
Flash Elorde - 11
Luisito Espinosa - 11
* * *
Most World Title Defenses:
Donnie Nietes - 14
Manny Pacquiao - 10
Flash Elorde - 10
Nonito Donaire - 10
Jerwin Ancajas - 9
Luisito Espinosa - 9
* * *
Most Wins Against Former/Current/Future World Champions:
Manny Pacquiao - 25
Nonito Donaire - 14
Pancho Villa - 10
Brian Viloria - 9
Gerry Penalosa - 9
Donnie Nietes - 9
* * *
International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame inductees:
Pancho Villa (Boxer)
Flash Elorde (Boxer)
Ceferino Garcia (Boxer)
* * *
Sports History: January 30, 1982 Wilfredo Benitez successfully defended his WBC junior middleweight title, for the second time, scoring a 15-round unanimous decision over the legendary Roberto Duran of Panama. The scorecards were 145-141, 144-141 and 143-142. The bout happened at the Caesars Palace Sports Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada.
* * *
It was the most awaited match between two legendary champions. Benitez, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, climbed the ring as a 9-5 favorite and displayed the skills that made him grab the title from Maurice Hope by 12th round KO. Duran fought coming from his disgusting “No Mas” defeat to Sugar Ray Leonard by 8th round TKO on November 25, 1980, and had a hard time against El Radar’s offensive and defensive skills.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Panamanian legend Hilario Zapata inducted into the California Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 29 Apr 2024FEDOR GORST WINS 2024 WORLD POOL MASTERS
Mon, 29 Apr 2024Megan Paragua wins back-to-back world titles in Albania
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Apr 2024Asuela wins Gomez Jr. Birthday Chess Cup
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 29 Apr 2024JOSE RAMIREZ MAKES A WINNING STATEMENT IN GOLDN BOY DEBUT AGAINST RANCES BARTHELEMY IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN CROWD
Sun, 28 Apr 2024Boston Gets Back Versus Miami; Lakers Get One Against Denver
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Lady Knights, Orlando-A win Panabo United Football Club
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Apr 202411-Year-Old Filipino-American Megan Paragua Makes History by Winning the World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 28 Apr 2024WORLD POOL MASTERS 2024 | DEFENDING CHAMPION KO PIN YI KNOCKS OUT WNT NO.1 FRANCISCO SANCHEZ IN QUARTER-FINAL
Sun, 28 Apr 2024Men whom Manny retired
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Astrolabio waiting for fight date against Nakatani
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Saludar to fight for WBO Oriental title
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Former Unified World Champion Marlon Tapales Looks Forward to His Homecoming Bout at Midas Hotel and Casino in Manila, Philippines
Sat, 27 Apr 2024Mavs, Pacers Forge Ahead, 2-1, in Matches to Watch
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 27 Apr 2024Weights from Washington PA.
Sat, 27 Apr 2024