Jerusalem battles Shigeoka, risks WBC crown

Around this time last year, Melvin Jerusalem and Yudai Shigeoka battled for 12 action-packed rounds in Nagoya.

In the end, on the strength of two knockdowns scored by Jerusalem, the decision — split — went in favor of the Filipino, who went back to the Philippines with the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight belt strapped around his waist.

While believing that he has Shigeoka all figured out, Jerusalem is not leaving any stone unturned in his quest to retain the WBC 105-pound title for the second time on Sunday night.

Jerusalem is going for a knockout because the fight going 12 could alter his fortunes most especially if the bout is going to be close.

Shigeoka, on the other hand, thinks he has learned a lesson and is determined to get even with his tormentor.

If both fighters hear the final bell, the outcome is going to be determined by Chris Tellez of the United States, Tawuth Pluemsamran of Thailand and Joseph Gwilt of England. Raymond Chang of Hong Kong is the referee.

But that’s not the route Jerusalem and his team are not planning to take when the bell rings at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokomane.

To ensure that a hometown decision doesn’t come into play, Jerusalem is laser-focused on winning by knockout, an ending the shifty right-hander is very much capable of achieving.

Providing pointers for Jerusalem is veteran tactician Michael Domingo with a solid support staff beefed up by promoter JC Mananquil.

Also flying to Japan to lend his support is JC Barrera of Blow-By-Blow, the weekly television boxing show which promoted Jerusalem’s first and mandatory defense against Mexican Luis Castillo last September.