The boxing spirit in the country is finally alive again.
This, after Pinoy boxer Melvin Jerusalem, dethroned Japanese champion Masataka Taniguchi via a second-round knockout in the recent World Boxing Organization (WBO) strawweight at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan to claim the title.
He brought back a world championship to the Philippines after several Filipino world champions got dethroned in 2022.
To recall, Philippines has no single title holder in 2022 but it was Jerusalem who carried the flag for a title redemption.
The 28-year-old boxer landed a solid straight to the face of the erstwhile champion in the 1:04 mark of the second round to win by technical knockout.
It was a scintillating clash between two boxers with the champion giving Jerusalem a headache following hard punches.
With the sense of urgency, the Pinoy slugger get back on track quickly, making immediate counters including solid attacks. Putting a dazzling show on the ring, Jerusalem started the assault, hitting the Japanese with consecutive 1-2 combinations in the head and the body.
With both fighters hungry for the victory, Jerusalem made the crowd roar after knocking out Taniguchi on the canvass at 1:05-minute mark of the second round.
Suffering from that one solid punch, the Japanese failed to beat the match referee’s countdown, declaring Jerusalem the first Filipino champion of 2023 while also scoring the first title switch of the year.
The Bukidnon native suffered his last defeat in 2017 when he bowed to Wanheng Menayothin of Thailand for the WBC strawweight title by unanimous decision and Joey Canoy.
Meanwhile, Tanaguchi failed in his second title defense with Jerusalem ending his 25-month reign and five-match win streak, sliding to a 16-4 record (11 KOs) in his home country.IMT Sports
