Melvin Jerusalem became the newest world boxing champion of the Philippines.
The 28-year-old Filipino boxer seized the WBO world minimumweight belt after his beating Japanese foe Masataka Taniguchi via technical knockout on Friday, January 6, at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan.
A right straight by Jerusalem brought Taniguchi down to the mat in the second round.
The Japanese fighter tried to stand up but he fell down twice which prompted the referee to end the match and award the victory to Jerusalem.
The win also put an end to the world title drought of the Philippines since Mark Magsayo yielded the WBC featherweight belt to Rey Vargas of Mexico last July.
Jerusalem now has a professional record of 20 wins, 12 knockouts, and two losses, while Taniguchi dropped to 16 wins, 11 knockouts, and four losses.
