Melvin Jerusalem Involved in Split Decision Thriller While Ginjiro Shigeoka Shows His Class

Melvin Jerusalem (22-3, 12 KOs) is the world champion once again after winning a split decision against Yudai Shigeoka (8-1, 5 KOs) on Sunday.

While one judge had it 114-113 for Shigeoka, the other two saw Jerusalem as the winner with scores of 114-112. The Filipino is now the WBC minimumweight titlist. Their clash headlined a March 31 card promoted by Kameda Promotions at the International Conference Hall in Nagoya, Japan. Viewers in Japan were able to catch the action live on AbemaTV.

The card was originally to be done in collaboration with Matchroom Boxing as they sought to relaunch their Prizefighter series with middleweights. However, that portion of the card was postponed due to operational issues. The only fight that actually took place was a clash for the Japanese middleweight title between Riku Kunimoto and Eiki Kani.

Melvin Jerusalem Champion Once Again and Ginjiro Shigeoka Retains

Melvin Jerusalem Outpoints Yudai Shigeoka

While the beginning of the fight started tentatively, things soon exploded as both men went back and forth with each other. In round three, a counter right hand caught Shigeoka, who went to the canvas for the first time in the bout. Despite being dropped, the Japanese fighter continued to trade punches with Jerusalem at close range.

In round six, Shigeoka was again sent to the canvas by a right hand. His tactic of applying pressure had some success, but he was also becoming less accurate as the fight progressed. This allowed Jerusalem to land well-timed shots throughout the clash. Both men continued to trade with each other until the final bell. Despite Shigeoka’s efforts, the knockdowns proved the difference as Jerusalem became the WBC 105-lb champion.

Previously, Jerusalem held the WBO belt after stopping Masataka Taniguchi in January last year. He then travelled to the United States to defend his title against Oscar Collazo four months later. The Filipino lost the title after being unable to continue following round seven. In 2017, Jerusalem also fought Wanheng Menayothin for the WBC minimumweight strap, a fight he lost via unanimous decision.

Ginjiro Shigeoka Knocks Out Jake Amparo

Ginjiro Shigeoka (11-0, 9 KOs, 1 NC) did not need long to stop Jake Amparo (14-6-1, 3 KOs).

The IBF minimumweight champion knocked out his opponent at the 1:15 mark of round two to successfully retain his title. This was Shigeoka’s first defence of the belt, having won it against Daniel Valladares in October last year. Amparo was a late replacement. Initially, ArAr Andales was to challenge for the title. However, he had to withdraw due to medical reasons.

Read More: Seniesa Estrada Outboxes Yokasta Valle in Undisputed Clash

The opening round was a feeling-out round, with both men staying at range and not throwing many punches. Things took a dramatic turn in the second when Shigeoka landed a left hand to the body. Referee Charlie Fitch administered a count, but Amparo was unable to beat it, giving Shigeoka the knockout win.

Other Fights on the Card

Just before the main event, Tomoki Kameda (41-4, 23 KOs) won via fifth-round stoppage against Kevin Villanueva (22-5-3, 15 KOs). At the end of round five, Villanueva retired in his corner. This was a 10-round featherweight fight. Initially, Kameda was to rematch Lerato Dlamini. However, Dlamini withdrew from the bout to take part in a world title eliminator against Arnold Khegai.

In an eight-round fight contested at 224 lbs, Alexandru Jur (21-5, 8 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Mitsuro Tajima (10-1, 8 KOs). Tajima went to the canvas in round two.

Riku Kunimoto (11-1, 5 KOs) retained his Japanese middleweight title with a sixth-round technical knockout of Eiki Kani (8-4-3, 4 KOs). The time of stoppage was 1:53. Kani went to the canvas in round six but got up. The fight set for ten rounds was stopped – not long after when Kunimoto let his hands go, and referee Kenji Kondo stepped in to end proceedings.

Ryusei Moriwaki won his professional debut with a second-round technical knockout of Pakphum Tawinram (9-7-1, 6 KOs). The time of stoppage for this six-round bantamweight clash was 1:07.

Ei Go (2-0, 1 KO) won a majority decision against Koshin Takeshima (7-4-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout. While one judge had it 76-76, the other two saw Go winning the fight with scores of 78-74.