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    Melvin Jerusalem gets first shot of 2023 at ending world title drought

    Jerusalem can give PH its first world title in 2023
    Jan 3, 2023
    Melvin Jerusalem

    MELVIN Jerusalem and his entire team finally arrived in Osaka, Japan ahead of his WBO minimumweight title fight against defending champion Masataka Taniguchi at the Edion Arena over the weekend.

    The 28-year-old Filipino challenger was accompanied by no less than Sanman Boxing big boss JC Mananquil as they landed in one of Japan’s largest port cities on Wednesday.

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    Jerusalem attempts to become the first world champion for the Philippines this year after the country was left with no title holder by the end of 2022.

    Now based in General Santos City, the native of Bukidnon is in high spirits as he’s currently on an eight-fight winning streak in hiking his record to 19-2 with 11 KOs.

    His last loss came in 2017 yet in a unanimous 10-round decision loss against Joey Canoy in Mabolo, Cebu.

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      But his camp likes its chance against the reigning champion from Japan, who sports a 16-3 record with 11 KOs.

      The 28-year-old Taniguchi won the crown in November 2021 when he dethroned Puerto Rican Wilfredo Mendez following an 11th round TKO win in Tokyo, Japan.

      He successfully defended his crown with another 11th round TKO win against compatriot Kai Ishizawa in his only fight for 2022.

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