MELVIN Jerusalem will cross paths anew with Yudai Shigeoka as he stakes his WBC minimumweight title Sunday at the Aichi Sky Expo in Nagoya, Japan.
The Filipino will be making the second defense of his 105lbs. title against the same opponent he dethroned via a split decision at about the same time last year also in the Japanese city mainly known as a manufacturing and shipping hub.
Jerusalem and his team that includes trainer Michael Domingo and Sanman boxing CEO JC Mananquil arrived in Japan since last week to make sure the reigning champion gets to acclimatize with the weather and surroundings.
During Saturday’s official weigh-in, Jerusalem came in at 104.5lbs, while his Japanese challenger tipped in at 104.3lbs.
Melvin exhudes confidence
“I am ready to defend my belt,” the 31-year-old Jerusalem said on the eve of the 12-round bout.
Holder of a 23-3 record (12 KOs), the champion successfully defended the title last September with a unanimous decision against previously unbeaten Mexican Luis Castillo in Mandaluyong City.
Jerusalem sent Castillo down to the canvas in the opening round to set the pace for the dominant win.
He won the WBC title belt on Easter Sunday last year by knocking down Shigeoka twice in the third and sixth rounds, enough to earn a leeway for a split decision.
The former world champion sports a 9-1 record (5 KOs) and comes from a family of boxers, his younger brother Ginjiro Shigeoka being a former IBF mini-flyweight titleholder, who ironically, also lost his title belt against another Filipino in Pedro Taduran.
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