Taduran risks IBF 105-pound crown

OSAKA, Japan—The stage is set for Filipino world champion Pedro Taduran’s first defense of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimuweight title against Ginjiro Shigeoka on Saturday at the INTEX Osaka.

During Friday’s official weighin at the Hotel Monterey Grasmere, Taduran came in at 104.5 pounds while Shigeoka tipped in at 105 pounds. The division limit is 105 pounds.

The scheduled 12-rounder—a rematch of their intense July 2024 duel that ended with Taduran raising his hands in triumph in the ninth round--promises to be another fierce clash between southpaws.

“Finally, it’s the moment I have been waiting for,” Taduran said after the pre-fight ritual as his handlers, led by chief trainer Carl Penalosa Jr and co-managers Marty and Cucuy Elorde by his side.

Taduran, 28, trained long and hard for this second meeting with Shigeoka, 25, who is aching to get back at his Filipino tormentor.

“My condition now is much better than the last time,” said Shigeoka, who enters the ring with an 11-11-0 win-loss card with nine knockouts.

Taduran, holding a 17-4-1 slate with 13 knockouts, insists he will be prepared for whatever the rugged Shigeoka brings to the ring.

But Penalosa swears there is just one way to repulse Shigeoka’s challenge.

“We have to apply pressure right from the start,” said Penalosa.

“AS soon as the first round begins, Pedro is going to be there, throwing punches, ducking, throwing punches.”

“No other way Pedro fights. He will be starting strong and finishing strong.”

Penalosa insists “Pedro doesn’t have a choice but to move forward.”

“There will be no time to relax when Pedro fights. I have faith and confidence in his stamina and staying power,” he added.

The IBF has appointed Australian Ignatius Missailidis as the referee while the three judges are Kats Nakamura of Japan, Dave Braskow of the United States and Gil Co of the Philippines. The fight supervisor is George Martinez of Canada.

If victorious, Taduran would like to get his hands on Puerto Rican Oscar Collazo, holder of the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization jewels.

Sean Gibbons, the do-it-all American dealmaker, assured the fighter that he would move heaven and earth to make that fight happen.(DAS)