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Philippines, 31 Jan 2026 |
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PH Boxing's Heartbreak Kids Keep Plugging On By Teodoro Medina Reynoso PhilBoxing.com Mon, 11 Mar 2024  Jerusalem (L) and Andales (R). This March 31 in Japan, two Filipino fighters will try to relive the glory of fighting for a world title, after one experienced success, albeit for a short time, and the other denied of what he and his camp believed as a deserved win. Former WBO minimumweight titlist Melvin Jerusalem tries to become world champion again as he challenges reigning WBC titlist Yudai Shigeoka (8-0-0) for his crown. Meanwhile former world title challenger ArAr Andales tries to finally bring home a world championship as he challenges defending IBF titleholder Ginjiro Shigeoka (10-0-0). The title fights both scheduled for 12 rounds will be held at the Nagoya International Convention Hall. Jerusalem (20-3-0) won the WBO crown by second round knockout over Masataka Takayama in Japan in February 2023 but lost the same on May 2023 via TKO to Puerto Rico's Oscar Collazo. He has earlier challenged for the WBC crown but lost by close decision to then champion Wanheng Menayothin of Thailand in 2017. Andales (14-2-3) challenged for the WBA title then worn by Thamanon Niyomtrong of Thailand in 2019 but was declared loser by the American referee by 8th round technical decision after Niyomtrong could not continue due to cut on his eyelid which the referee said was due to accidental clash of heads. Andales corner argued that the cut was caused by a legitimate punch as it was impossible for an accidental clash of heads to cause the cut on the eyelid. But the verdict remained and the protest planned by the Andales camp was no longer pursued due to the stiff protest fee of WBA Asia which was more than Andales fight purse. Andales came back by winning five of his eight fights since 2020 with three draws against a former world champion and two world rated contenders. The designation of Jerusalem and Andales as challengers for the Shigeoka world champion brothers is an affirmation of their worth and standing among the world's minimumweight fighters. Another Filipino former heartbreak kid who has been designated as mandatory challenger for the IBF light flyweight crown just re-won by South Africa's Sivenathi Notshinga is Christian Araneta. Araneta first fought for world title eliminator in Mexico against Daniel Valladares but lost by 4th round retirement due to shoulder rotator cuff injury in 2019. He then fought the same Notshinga in an IBF world title eliminator in South Africa in 2022 but lost by controversial decision despite scoring a last round knockdown. Araneta (24-2-0, 19 KOs) has came back with five straight wins, four by knockout including against Jakrawut Najungoen and Arvin Magramo. The IBF has ordered the Notshinga and Araneta camps to negotiate immediately for the fight. The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.  |
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