Melvin Jerusalem wears the WBO world minimumweight title on his waist after knocking out Masataka Taniguchi last January 6, 2023. | Photo from Jerusalem’s Facebook page
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem said patience was his key to reaching the top of his boxing career.
Jerusalem bagged the World Boxing Organization world minimumweight title via a stunning second round knockout victory over Masataka Taniguchi last January 6, 2023, at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan.
READ: Jerusalem knocks out Taniguchi in second round of WBO title duel in Japan
Jerusalem said the road to the top wasn’t easy and had to endure many trials and years of waiting before reaching the top.
“Bag-o ni nako nakuha ang world title, grabe ang mga kalisud nga akong naagi-an. Bag-o ko na world champion, kinahanglan gyud ko nga kabalo ko mag pasensya ug magpa abot sa saktong panahon,” said Jerusalem.
(Before I got this world title, I’ve gone through a lot of hardships. Before I became a world champion, I had to learn how to be patient and wait for the right time.)
Jerusalem earned his first world title shot in 2017 but fell short after losing to then WBC world minimumweight champion Wanheng Menayothin via unanimous decision in Thailand.
After that, Jerusalem lost another bout, against fellow Filipino Joey Canoy in Cebu in the same year.
Instead of being discouraged, Jerusalem bounced back from the back-to-back defeats by racking up four straight wins until the Covid-19 pandemic halted the sports scene in 2020.
Worse, Jerusalem suffered a huge setback when the ALA Boxing Gym, which he was part of, closed its doors in 2020.
Fortunately, Jerusalem and several other ALA Boxing Gym prospects such as former world title challenger Jeo Santisima, world-rated Kevin Jake Cataraja, and Esneth Domingo, found a refuge in the newly formed ZIP Sanman Boxing Team.
Former ALA Boxing Gym trainers Michael Domingo and Peter Cuizon handled the four boxers, incuding Jerusalem in Cebu.
From then on, Jerusalem climbed to the world minimumweight rankings by winning four straight bouts, which included a victory against the late Toto Landero for the OPBF minimumweight title. It catapulted him to the top three of the world minimumweight rankings, particularly in the WBO and WBC.
God-given
However, there were no offers for a world title shot for Jerusalem for over two years until November 2022, when Taniguchi was ordered to defend the WBO world minimumweight title against Jerusalem.
“Lipay kaayo ko kay sa kadugay sa panahon, gihatag gyud sa Ginoo ang akong dugay na nga gipangandoy nga mahimong world champion,” said Jerusalem.
(I am so happy that after a long wait, God gave me what I’ve been hoping for, which is to become a world champion.)
Jerusalem also revealed that his initial game plan was to take down Taniguchi with a body shot. However, a jab-straight combo sent the Japanese world champion down to the canvas for good.
“Kaya ra nako to siya matumba ug body shot, pero sa panga man siya na igo. Wala jud to nako damha nga matumba nako siya ug ing-ato,” said Jerusalem, who, which his victory, improved to 20 wins (12 by knockouts) and two defeats.
(I could have taken him down with a body shot, but I hit him in the jaw. I didn’t expect that he’d go down that way.)
Meanwhile, Jeruaslem said he will take a short break to celebrate his victory with his team and family.
/bmjo