IBF mini-flyweight champ Taduran eyes KO in rematch vs. Shigeoka

MANILA, May 12 ------ Filipino boxing star Pedro Taduran is set for an intense title defense against a familiar Japanese foe. 

The 28-year-old reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) mini-flyweight champion will be defending his belt against former titlist Ginjiro Shigeoka later this month on his opponent’s home turf in Osaka, Japan. “Excited po ako sa darating kong laban. Gusto kong madipensahan yung title,” said the southpaw from Libon, Albay, during Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila. 

Taduran, together with his head coach Carl Penalosa Jr., is expecting former title holder Shigeoka to retaliate in hopes of bringing the belt back to the Land of the Rising Sun. That is why Taduran and Penalosa are rigorously training for the fight, with their camp even including a weekly hike in Los Baños to improve his stamina further. “Pinagaralan po namin ni coach ‘to, kasi alam naming may ibang istilo siya kaya may gagawin kaming strategy sa laban,” said Taduran, who won the title in July 2024 via a 9th-round TKO. “Every Saturday, umaakyat po kami sa Los Baños para makakuha ng hangin. Tumatakbo na siya ngayon,” added Penalosa of Shigeoka. “Kaya waka kaming tigil sa ensayo.” 

The veteran mentor is also expecting outside factors especially since they are competing on their opponents’ home soil, which is why they are going for the kill as early as they can. “Hindi natin masasabi kung anong round, pero knockout ang kailangan natin para sure na manalo,” emphasized Penalosa. “Tatakbo siya [Shigeoka], so kailangan ma-knockout siya para sure ang panalo. Takot ako sa hometown decision, kaya ganyan.” “Nakikita ko yan sa ibang boxer. Pag even ang score, panalo ang kalaban, so kailangan knockout talaga. First round pa lang, pasok agad. Tatalunin namin sila sa stamina, sa dami ng suntok,” he added. 

The Taduran-Shigeoka bout is scheduled on May 24 at the Intex Osaka. Taduran’s camp is expected to fly there on May 18. 

Source: news.abs-cbn.com