Jerusalem Vs Shigeoka: WBC Title Rematch Set For March 30

The WBC minimumweight champion, Melvin Jerusalem, is gearing up for another big fight as he prepares to defend his title in a highly anticipated Jerusalem vs Shigeoka rematch against Yudai Shigeoka on March 30, 2025, at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan.

This isn’t just any title defense—it’s a chance for both fighters to settle unfinished business. The two met last March, where Jerusalem knocked Shigeoka down twice and edged out a split-decision victory to claim the WBC belt. Now, Shigeoka wants revenge, and Jerusalem wants to prove his win wasn’t a fluke.

Jerusalem: The Road Warrior Looking to Repeat

At 30 years old, Jerusalem has made a habit of winning big fights on enemy turf. He first made a name for himself in Japan when he shocked Masataka Taniguchi with a second-round knockout in March 2023 to claim the WBO minimumweight title. Unfortunately, his reign didn’t last long, as he lost the belt in his first defense against Oscar Collazo.

But Jerusalem bounced back strong. After defeating Shigeoka in 2024, he successfully defended his WBC title against Luis Castillo in September, delivering a dominant performance against the previously undefeated Mexican. Now, he’s returning to Japan, looking to do what he did last year—beat Shigeoka in his home country and cement his status as the division’s top fighter.

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Source: Melvin Jerusalem-Yudai Shigeoka rematch confirmed for March 30

Shigeoka: Hungry for Redemption

On the other side, 27-year-old Yudai Shigeoka is coming into this fight with a chip on his shoulder. Before running into Jerusalem, he was seen as Japan’s rising star. He won the WBC belt in just his eighth professional fight, decisively beating Panya Pradabsri in 2023.

That’s why his loss to Jerusalem was such a big deal. It was his first career defeat, and losing in front of his home fans made it even tougher. Now, he has a second chance to take back what he believes is his. With the rematch happening in Japan again, he’s hoping for a different outcome this time.

Jerusalem vs Shigeoka: WBC Title Rematch Set for March 30

What’s on the Line?

This fight isn’t just about revenge or proving who’s better—it could also lead to something much bigger. The winner might get a title unification bout against either Pedro Taduran or Oscar Collazo, which means a chance to become the undisputed champion of the minimumweight division.

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Meanwhile, in another important WBC decision, the organization has ordered a rematch between Panya Pradabsri and Carlos Canizales after Canizales lost a controversial decision in December. That fight will help shape the future of the division, adding even more stakes to the Jerusalem-Shigeoka showdown.

Can Jerusalem Do It Again, or Will Shigeoka Get His Payback?

Jerusalem already proved he could beat Shigeoka once, but doing it again in Japan won’t be easy. Shigeoka will be better prepared, more motivated, and fighting with home support. However, Jerusalem has already shown he can handle the pressure of fighting in Japan, and his experience in big fights could give him the edge.

With so much at stake, this rematch is shaping up to be a must-watch fight for boxing fans. Will Jerusalem keep his belt and continue his reign, or will Shigeoka rise to the occasion and reclaim the title? We’ll find out on March 30.