Melvin Jerusalem

Filipino boxer
Melvin Jerusalem
Jerusalem in 2023 with his WBO Mini Flyweight World championship belt.
Born
Melvin Oliva Jerusalem

(1994-02-22) 22 February 1994 (age 30)
Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Philippines
Other namesGringo
Statistics
Weight(s)Mini flyweight
Height5 ft 2 in (157 cm)
Reach62 in (157 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights25
Wins22
Wins by KO12
Losses3
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing  Philippines
Philippine National Games
Silver medal – second place 2014 Metro Manila Light flyweight

Melvin Oliva Jerusalem (born 22 February 1994) is a Filipino professional boxer World Boxing Council (WBC) mini-flyweight title since Mar 2024. He also previously held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) mini-flyweight title in 2023.

Professional career

Early career

First title challenge

Jerusalem, ranked #9 in the WBC strawweight rankings, faced off against champion Wanheng Menayothin on January 25, 2017. Menayothin won by a closely contested unanimous decision. Jerusalem was deducted a point in the eight round for a low blow; the bout would have finished in a majority draw otherwise.[1]

After suffering the first loss of his professional career, Jerusalem was scheduled to face Joey Canoy on the undercard of the "Pinoy Pride 41" event on July 8, 2017.[2] He lost the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 95–93, 95–93 and 96–92. Jerusalem was knocked down in the seventh round and was deducted a point in the eight round for repeated low blows.[3] Jerusalem faced Jestoni Racoma at Pinoy Pride 43 on November 25, 2017. He successfully rebounded from his first professional losses by beating Racoma by unanimous decision, with scores of 78–74, 80–72, 80–82.[4]

Jerusalem was scheduled to face Philip Luis Cuerdo on June 9, 2018, at Pinoy Pride 44. He won the fight by an eight-round technical knockout.[5] Jerusalem was scheduled to face Toto Landero on November 10, 2018.[6] He won the fight by unanimous decision with one judge scoring the fight 97–93 for him, while the remaining two judges awarded him a 98–92 scorecard.[7]

Jerusalem's sole fight of 2019 was against Reymark Taday on August 17, 2019. He won the fight by a seventh-round stoppage, as Taday chose to retire from the fight at the end of the round.[8] Jerusalem fought only once in 2020 as well, against Jayson Francisco, whom he beat by a second-round knockout.

OPBF strawweight champion

Jerusalem was booked to fight Toto Landero for the vacant OPBF strawweight title on July 16, 2021, at the Tabunoc Sports Complex in Talisay, Philippines.[9] He won the rematch by unanimous decision, with judges scoring the fight 118–110 in his favor, while the third judge scored it 116–112 for Jerusalem.[10] Jerusalem was next scheduled to face the journeyman Ramel Antaran in a stay-busy non-title bout on 26 February 2022.[11] He won the fight by unanimous decision. Two judges scored the bout 79–73 in his favor, while the third judge scored the fight 77–75 for Jerusalem.[12]

WBO mini-flyweight champion

Jerusalem vs. Taniguchi

Jerusalem challenged the reigning WBO mini-flyweight champion Masataka Taniguchi in the main event of "3150 FIGHT vol.4", which took place at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka, Japan on January 6, 2023 and was broadcast by Abema TV.[13] After losing the opening round 10–9 on two of the judges' scorecards, Jerusalem won the fight by a second-round technical knockout. He knocked Taniguchi down with a one-two combination near the first minute of the round, which left the champion unable to recover sufficiently enough to beat the ten count.[14]

Jerusalem vs. Collazo

On January 30, 2023, Jerusalem was ordered by the WBO to make his first title defense against the unbeaten mandatory challenger Oscar Collazo.[15] The two camps failed to reach a deal within the allotted 30-day negotiation period and a purse bid was called for February 23,[16] which was later declared deserted by the WBO, as representatives of the two fighters failed to comply with the purse bid terms. The purse bid was rescheduled for February 27 and won by Golden Boy Promotions and Cotto Promotions, who submitted a bid of $152,000.[17][18] The championship bout took place at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California on May 27, 2023.[19] Jerusalem lost the fight by a seventh-round stoppage, as he retired from the bout at the end of the round.[20]

WBC mini-flyweight champion

Jerusalem vs. Shigeoka

On March 31, 2024 in Nagoya, Japan, Jerusalem challenged WBC minimumweight champion Yudai Shigeoka.[21] Jerusalem twice sent the champion to the canvas, en route to winning the fight by a narrow split decision. One judge scored the bout 114–113 for Shigeoka, while the remaining two ringside officials had it an identical 114–112 for away fighter. Jerusalem handed Shigeoka his first professional defeat, while he became a two-time world titlist.[22]

Professional boxing record

25 fights 22 wins 3 losses
By knockout 12 1
By decision 10 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
25 Win 22–3 Yudai Shigeoka SD 12 31 Mar 2024 International Conference Hall, Nagoya, Japan Won WBC mini-flyweight title
24 Win 21–3 Francis Jay Diaz UD 8 29 Oct 2023 Robinson's Mall, General Santos City, Philippines
23 Loss 20–3 Oscar Collazo RTD 7 (12), 3:00 27 May 2023 Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, U.S. Lost WBO mini-flyweight title
22 Win 20–2 Masataka Taniguchi TKO 2 (12), 1:04 6 Jan 2023 Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan Won WBO mini-flyweight title
21 Win 19–2 Michael Camelion KO 2 (8), 1:21 24 Aug 2022 Sanman Gym, General Santos, Philippines
20 Win 18–2 Ramel Antaran UD 8 26 Feb 2022 Sanman Gym, General Santos, Philippines
19 Win 17–2 Toto Landero UD 12 16 Jul 2021 Tabunoc Sports Complex, Talisay, Philippines Won vacant OPBF mini-flyweight title
18 Win 16–2 Jayson Francisco KO 2 (8) 17 Dec 2020 Sanman Gym, General Santos, Philippines
17 Win 15–2 Reymark Taday RTD 7 (10), 3:00 17 Aug 2019 Superdome, Ormoc, Philippines
16 Win 14–2 Toto Landero UD 10 10 Nov 2018 Sports Complex, Minglanilla, Philippines
15 Win 13–2 Philip Luis Cuerdo TKO 8 (10), 1:12 9 Jun 2018 Sports Complex, Maasin, Philippines
14 Win 12–2 Jestoni Racoma UD 8 25 Nov 2017 Bohol Wisdom School Gym, Tagbilaran, Philippines
13 Loss 11–2 Joey Canoy UD 10 8 Jul 2017 IC3 Convention Center, Cebu City, Philippines
12 Loss 11–1 Wanheng Menayothin UD 12 25 Jan 2017 Provincial Stadium, Phitsanulok, Thailand For WBC mini-flyweight title
11 Win 11–0 Fabio Marfa UD 6 26 Nov 2016 Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City, Philippines
10 Win 10–0 Jonathan Refugio UD 10 16 Jul 2016 City Sports and Cultural Complex, Mandaue, Philippines
9 Win 9–0 Florante Condes MD 8 27 Feb 2016 Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Philippines
8 Win 8–0 Crison Omayao TKO 2 (10), 2:30 28 Nov 2015 Hoops Dome, Lapu-Lapu, Philippines
7 Win 7–0 Mark Anthony Florida RTD 7 (10), 3:00 28 Jun 2015 City Cultural Sports Center, Canlaon, Philippines
6 Win 6–0 Ryan Ralozo TKO 1 (8), 2:15 30 May 2015 City Cultural and Sports Center, Dapitan, Philippines
5 Win 5–0 Rodante Suacasa TKO 1 (6), 1:59 7 Mar 2015 Freedom Park, Malaybalay, Philippines
4 Win 4–0 Rez Padrogane KO 2 (6), 1:36 18 Jan 2015 Gaisano Country Mall Parking Lot, Cebu City, Philippines
3 Win 3–0 Jomar Cenita KO 2 (4), 0:37 18 Dec 2014 Molo Covered Gym, Iloilo City, Philippines
2 Win 2–0 Christian Solatorio TKO 1 (4), 2:30 17 Sep 2014 Agoho Tiger Boxing Club, Mambajao, Philippines
1 Win 1–0 Michael Camelion UD 4 13 Jul 2014 ACSAT Gymnasium, Carmen, Philippines

See also

References

  1. ^ "Boxing: Melvin Jerusalem loses in first world title shot". Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  2. ^ Aznar, Edri K. "Jerusalem faces Canoy in Pinoy Pride 41". sunstar.com.ph. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Pinoy Pride 41 Results". fightnews.com. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  4. ^ "PINOY PRIDE 43 RESULTS AND PHOTOS". PhilBoxing.com. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  5. ^ Honasan, Santino. "'Pinoy Pride 44': Albert Pagara destroys Ghanaian opponent in 3 rounds". news.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Melvin Jerusalem to face Toto Landero in November!". asianboxing.info. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  7. ^ Bonsubre Jr., Rene. "IDOL 4: JERUSALEM BEATS LANDERO IN MINGLANILLA". PhilBoxing.com. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  8. ^ Stewart Co, Adrian. "Pagara TKOs Thai foe in 'Pinoy Pride 46'". panaynews.net. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  9. ^ Songalia, Ryan (4 July 2021). "Melvin Jerusalem faces Toto Landero on July 16 with eyes on WBC titleholder Panya". ringtv.com. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  10. ^ Rosal, Glendale G. (17 July 2021). "Jerusalem wins rematch with Landero, walks away with OPBF title". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  11. ^ Rosal, Dale G. (13 February 2022). "Melvin "El Gringo" Jerusalem returns to the boxing ring on Feb. 26". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  12. ^ Rosal, Glendale G. (27 February 2021). "Sanman boxers dominate foes in Bubble Boxing VIII in Gensan". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  13. ^ "【3150FIGHT】W世界タイトルマッチ決定 谷口将隆＆重岡銀次郎が世界挑戦 竹原慎二もエール". agara.co.jp. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  14. ^ "谷口将隆、無念の２回TKO負けで王座陥落 プロ初黒星喫した会場で２度目の防衛ならず／詳細". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  15. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (30 January 2023). "WBO orders Melvin Jerusalem vs Oscar Collazo minimumweight title fight". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  16. ^ Donovan, Jake (13 February 2023). "Melvin Jerusalem-Oscar Collazo: Purse Bid Ordered For WBO Strawweight Title Fight". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  17. ^ Donovan, Jake (23 February 2023). "Melvin Jerusalem-Oscar Collazo WBO Purse Bid Declared 'Deserted', Rescheduled For February 27". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  18. ^ Donovan, Jake (27 February 2023). "Jerusalem-Collazo: Golden Boy and Cotto Promotions ($152,000) Win Purse Bid For WBO Title Fight". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  19. ^ Angelas, Steve (27 May 2023). "Boxing: Underdog Jerusalem all set WBO title defense vs Puerto Rico's Collazo". news.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  20. ^ Salazar, Francisco (27 May 2023). "Oscar Collazo Stops Melvin Jerusalem After 7 Rounds, Wins WBO Strawweight Title". ringtv.com. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  21. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (6 February 2024). "Melvin Jerusalem challenges Yudai Shigeoka in March in Nagoya, Japan". FIGHTMAG.
  22. ^ Noble-Forcey, Adam (31 March 2024). "Melvin Jerusalem Defeats Yudai Shigeoka To Become Two-Time World Champion". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 28 April 2024.

External links

  • Boxing record for Melvin Jerusalem from BoxRec (registration required)
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Lito Dante 		OPBF mini-flyweight champion
July 16, 2021 – 2022
Vacated 		Vacant
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBO mini-flyweight champion
January 6, 2023 – May 27, 2023 		Succeeded by
Oscar Collazo
Preceded by WBC mini-flyweight champion
March 31, 2024 – present 		Incumbent