Melvin Jerusalem is the only reigning Filipino world champion, sporting a record of 22-3 with 12 knockouts to his credit, making his knockout ratio just under 55%. From Bukidnon, Philippines, the 30-year-old pugilist is mostly unknown because of the weight class he fights in, the minimum weight division (105 Pounds). Melvin's reign as the only Filipino world champion will be short-lived as many Filipino fighters are overlooked despite the drought of championship titles. It is just one of those times that it just so happens that he is the only one. He is not Manny Pacquiao, but he is nonetheless the only Filipino world champion.
Melvin is a scrappy fighter who attacks both the body and the head. His best punch is his right jab, which he uses to deter his opponents from coming forward. Sometimes he can get careless, taking a punch or two inside when exchanging blows. He is best in the middle of the ring. He knows this, I think, as he tends to move side to side or forward as soon as he is close to being on the ropes, indicating he knows his strengths and weaknesses. Unlike the typical exciting champion, he does not have that one-punch knockout power. However, he stopped Masataka Taniguchi in the second round by technical knockout to win the World Boxing Organization world championship. He would later lose the WBO belt to an American named Oscar Collazo. Then, he would win a decision against Francis Jay Diaz before getting a chance at another title. This time, for the WBC mini-flyweight title.
Yudai Shigeoka at the age of 27 became champion in his eighth fight against former world champion, Panya Pradabsri of Thailand. In his first title defense, he lost to Melvin in which he was knocked down twice via a 12-round split decision.
Melvin is aiming high for the stars, saying, "If I'm given the chance, I want a unification fight right away. It's every boxer's dream to unify all the belts."
As an underdog against Yudai Shigeoka, Melvin cannot be underestimated. He believes in his abilities and there is no reason to doubt him.
Melvin is a proud fighter who, I think, enjoys being the only Filipino world champion, although he would love for his fellow countrymen to join him in the ranks of world champion. In the meantime, he is the only Filipino world champion. Currently, he does not have any fights scheduled, so his next opponent is yet to be decided. But, knowing what he said in the interview after winning the belt against Yudai, it must be against another world champion as he plans to unify all the belts.