It's not any other boxing legend, too.
Sorry, Pacman, you’re not on top in this list.
Living legend and happy-new-year-meme-generator Manny Pacquiao is the main inspiration for most Filipino boxers, but the eight-division world champion is not number one in the list of Melvin Jerusalem, the sole Filipino with a world boxing title right now.
Jerusalem snatched the WBO minimumweight belt after knocking out Japanese Masataka Taniguchi in the second round of their bout in Osaka, Japan.
Curiously enough, the Bukidnon-native’s inspiration is also a Japanese fighter. Jerusalem shared the interesting footnote in Noli Eala’s show, Power & Play.
“In terms of being a boxer, sino ang naging idolo mo kaya ‘yun ang parang sinusundan mo na inspirasyon mo,” the former Philippine Sports Commission chair asked.
Jerusalem answered with, “Taga-Japan din sir. Katsunari Takayama, sir.”
Takayama is a five-time mini-flyweight world champion. Jerusalem said he was inspired by the Japanese fighter because of his success despite his height. Both Jerusalem and Takaya stand at 5-foot-2.
“Maliit lang siya na tao, pero pinapakita niya na kaya niya. ‘Yung galaw niya ang daming suntok, tapos hindi ako makapaniwala sa galing niya,” the 28-year-old Pinoy boxer said.
Jerusalem shared that Takayama was even present when he won his first world boxing belt.
“Nanood siya sa laban ko kaya sobrang ano, sobrang excited.”
With the WBO title under his name, Jerusalem’s next focus will be on title defense.
And this is his message to whoever will try to challenge for the title: “Gagawin ko lahat para hindi maagaw itong belt na ‘to. Matagal kong pinaghirapan ito.”