Melvin Jerusalem is eager to leave no trace of doubts when he goes for a convincing victory despite being pegged as the underdog in his rematch with Japanese fighter Yudai Shigeokain the World Boxing Council minimumweight championship at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan on Sunday, March 30.
Underdog champ Jerusalem looks to assert mastery of Shigeoka
Mar 30, 2025 01:07 AM
At a glance
Melvin Jerusalem is eager to leave no trace of doubts when he goes for a convincing victory despite being pegged as the underdog in his rematch with Japanese fighter Yudai Shigeoka in the World Boxing Council minimumweight championship at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan on Sunday, March 30.
Both fighters made weight on Saturday, March 29, with Jerusalem tipping the scales 104.5 lbs while Shigeoka came in slightly lighter at 104.3 lbs – both within 105lb weight limit.
The pride of Bukidnon is returning to Shigeoka’s home turf a year after nabbing the title away from the Japanese via a split decision victory. Jerusalem was the heavy underdog in that match but went on to shock Shigeoka with two knockdowns before winning the title in the scorecards.
Save for being the one holding the belt this time, the Filipino pug seemed to be in the same position as last year with most fans believing that the belt is for Shigeoka’s taking.
But Jerusalem is not only looking at a repeat of history but a more convincing one this time around.
“Okay na sir, 100-percent ready na sir,” assured Jerusalem in an earlier interview with Philippine reporters.
“Wala naman (pressure) pinaghandaan namin ni coach 'to. Alam namin na pag umabot ng (full) rounds, dehado parin yung decision, kaya pinaghandaan namin talaga,” he added.
The corner of Jerusalem, led by trainer and coach Michael Domingo believes Shigeoka will be pressuring and bringing the fight to the Filipino, something that the champion needs to be wary of, and if possible, take advantage of.
“Yung narinig ko is pressure-in daw ako pero mga naka-sparring ko ganun rin. Maga-adjust naman tayo sa laban,” added Jerusalem who is fighting out of Sanman Boxing of manager and promoter JC Mananquil.
Motivations should be aplenty for Jerusalem as if he should survive Shigeoka for the second time, his camp is looking for another rematch, this time against Oscar Collazo to unify the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) straps which the Puerto Rican holds and the WBC belt of Jerusalem.