MELVIN Jerusalem is world champion again.
The 30-year-old Filipino knocked down Yudai Shigeoka twice on the way to a split decision win and wrest the WBC minimumweight title on Easter Sunday at the International Conference Hall in Nagoya, Japan.
Jerusalem, fighting out of Sanman Promotions, won 114-112 on two scorecards (Barry Lindenman) and Jae Bong Kim, while the other (Malcolm Bulner) had Shigeoka winning it 114-113.
It’s the second world championship for Jerusalem after briefly reigning as WBO minimumweight title holder last year.
Photo: Sanman boxing
Ironically, the native of Bukidnon also won his first world crown on Japanese soil, knocking out Masataka Taniguchi in the second round to seize the 105lbs version of the WBO.
A pair of rights by the Filipino sent Shigeoka reeling to the canvas in the third and sixth rounds, enough to give him the leeway of winning the fight on enemy’s territory.
The thrilling victory finally cut the string of misfortunes suffered by Filipino fighters in Japan the past three months, from losses by Marlon Tapales, Jerwin Ancajas, to Jonas Sultan.
A few hours before, replacement Jake Amparo also lost to Yudai’s brother Ginjero Shijeoka in their IBF mini-flyweight title bout.
Jerusalem now raises his record to 22-3 with 12 KOs, while dealing the 26-year-old Shigeoka his first career loss for an 8-1 record (5 KOs).
Previously, he also vied for the same WBC title in 2017, but lost to defending champion Wanheng Menayothin of Thailand via unanimous decision.
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