Filipino world title challenger Melvin 'Gringo' Jerusalem failed in his quest to become a world champion after Thai champ Wanheng Menayothin frustrated him with solid defense and timely counters to successfully defend his title for the sixth time in Phitsanulok, Thailand Wednesday afternoon where the fight was beamed live on the Internet by Bangkok's TV Channel 7.
The judges scores were 115-113, 114-113 and 114-113 in favor of Menayothin.
Jerusalem was deducted a point in the 8th round for low blows that may have cost him to at least to secure a draw. Referee Celestino Ruiz warned Jerusalem for a couple of low blows earlier in the 8th round but after the Filipino threw another one, Ruiz halted the action, allowed Wanheng to rest, and deducted a point from Jerusalem. After the 8th round Menayothin was leading with scores of 77-74, 77-74 and 78-74 but Jerusalem rallied in the championship rounds to make the scores a lot closer. In the final round, Jerusalem gave it all and threw a lot of haymakers that mostly missed the target as Menayothin deftly evaded Jerusalem's bombs.
Menayothin improved his undefeated record to 45-0-0 with 17 knockouts while Jerusalem suffered his first defeat and dropped to 11-1-0, 7KOs.
Photo: Referee Celestino Ruiz raises the hand of WBC minimumweight world champion Wanheng Menayothin of Thailand after the Thai defeated Filipino challenger Melvin Jerusalem by unanimous decision Wednesday afternoon in Phitsanulok, Thailand.
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