Yuudai Shigeoka, a 27-year-old boxer from the Watanabe Gym and the current WBC world-ranked No. 1 in the minimumweight division, publicly opened his training session on March 19, 2025, in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo. This event came ahead of his much-anticipated rematch against Melvin Jerusalem, the reigning champion from the Philippines, scheduled for March 30, 2025, at the Aichi Prefectural International Exhibition Hall.
During the training session, Shigeoka showcased his skills by performing two rounds of shadow boxing and hitting a sandbag powerfully. His dynamic and robust movements indicated he is in fine form, as he prepares for what he hopes will be a victorious reclaim of the championship.
Reflecting on his previous encounter with Jerusalem, Shigeoka recounted the disappointment of losing by a close decision last March, where he suffered two knockdowns during the bout. "I want to show a boxing style that demonstrates how I've leveled up over the past year, and I believe this will lead to a victory this time around," he expressed.
In their last fight, which took place on March 31, 2024, at the Nagoya International Conference Center, Shigeoka faced Jerusalem and lost after twelve rounds of rigorous competition, marking the first defeat in Shigeoka's professional career. The defeat was a hard blow, leaving him in tears and contemplating retirement. However, he quickly decided to get back into the ring two days later, encouraged by his younger brother, Ginka Shigeoka, a former IBF world champion.
Shigeoka rebounded with a victory over Samuel Salva in August 2024, where he won a 3-0 decision in a 10-round bout. This win allowed him to reclaim the WBC No. 1 ranking and set the stage for his rematch against Jerusalem.
In preparation for the upcoming fight, Shigeoka focused extensively on his defensive skills, acknowledging that this aspect caused him significant trouble in their earlier match. "It's a critical issue for me, and I've been able to concentrate on improving that. I feel confident about my preparation going into this fight," he remarked.
This rematch presents Shigeoka with a chance to avenge his only loss and reclaim his title in Aichi, the same location where he experienced his first defeat. He humorously admitted, "I thought I would never want to come back to Aichi after last year’s fight, but I feel it could become a memorable place for me if I win." This light-hearted comment reflects his determination to make a positive change in his experiences there.
Shigeoka's professional record stands at 10 matches, with 9 wins (5 by knockout) and 1 loss. In contrast, Jerusalem boasts a record of 26 fights, including 23 wins (12 by knockout) and 3 losses. The match will be broadcast live and free on ABEMA starting at noon on the day of the fight.
In the lead-up to this fight, Shigeoka emphasized his eagerness to showcase his skills, stating, "I want to display how I've leveled up. I don’t want to fall into a boring style; I want to have an exciting match." His enthusiasm and renewed commitment to improvement are palpable as he looks forward to this pivotal rematch.
