Melvin Jerusalem Runs the Gauntlet In Beating the Odds
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 02 Apr 2024
Jerusalem drops Shigeoka.
Despite scoring two knockdowns that gave him 10-8 rounds, Melvin Jerusalem faced the risk of having his last fight ruled a split draw had one of the two judges, Korean Jae Bong Kim and Barry Linderman of the USA who both saw it for him turned an even scorecard.
He could even have lost via split decision had one of the two submitted a scorecard in his opponent's favor.
Such is the risk a visiting fighter face.
And the pressure visiting supposed neutral judges had to put up with.
Fortunately, the two neutral judges, Kim and Lindenman held on amidst the partisan Japanese crowd and stuck on to their scorecards, both 114-112 in favor of Melvin that overruled the Australian judge Malcolm Bulner score of 114-113 in favor of his pre-fight favored opponent.
Thus, Melvin as in 2023, became the Philippines first world boxing champion by defeating defending titlist Yudai Shigeoka via split decision and wresting his newly won WBC minimumweight crown in Nagoya, Japan.
The pressure must have been tremendous as earlier Yudai's younger brother, Ginjiro, successfully retained his IBF title by 2nd round knockout of Filipino substitute challenger Jake Amparo. The Shigeoka brothers won their respective crown on the same date and arena last November and both were expected to win in their first title defenses. Hence, the pressure was on Yudai to duplicate his brother's earlier feat.
It was deja vu for Melvin as Japan was also the site of his WBO title crowning feat in January 2023 which he achieved by knocking out Masataka Taniguchi in Osaka.
Yudai had chosen Melvin as opponent in his first defense for the opportunity to avenge the loss of a fellow gym mate in Taniguchi.
If Yudai had any early impression of Melvin, how wrong he was.
Melvin proved to be not only a tough costumer but one who could put him out of his feet as in the second and sixth rounds where Yudai was knocked down by accurate right counters.
Yudai tigerishly fought back and tried to also put Melvin down and out. But this was where Melvin's huge advantage in experience served him well as he frustrated Yudai's desperate attempts while countering effectively.
In the end, the two knockdowns he scored proved to be the big difference though one would be tempted to ask the Australian judge, what fight was he watching.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Women's Boxing Champion Signs with Combate Global, Still Aims For WBC Absolute Gold
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
Wed, 02 Jul 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
By Eric Armit, Tue, 01 Jul 2025IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Tue, 01 Jul 2025CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
Tue, 01 Jul 2025Dumadag holds chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
By Ace Freeman, Mon, 30 Jun 2025DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
Mon, 30 Jun 2025Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Mon, 30 Jun 2025