4 hours ago
2
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran works out at the Elorde Gym in Sucat, Paranaque.
MANILA, Philippines — International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran will be aiming to repeat his mastery over former world champion Ginjiro Shigeoka Japanese in their May 24 rematch at the Intex Osaka in Japan.
“It is going to be a complete annihilation. It will be the same thing, same result that is going to happen in the second fight because the other guy isn't doing anything different,” Gibbons said over the weekend at the Elorde Gym in Parañaque City.
“Pedro will win by a knockout in the ninth or 10th round,” he added.
Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, pointed out Taduran’s sacrifices to be a two-time world champion, likening the 28-year-old fighter from Libon, Albay to boxing icon Manny Pacquiao
He said Taduran is an aggressive boxer like Pacquiao but also has his own style.
“He [Taduran] reminds me in a different way of Manny Pacquiao, but his style is like a real Pac-Man. He just eats them up, he keeps coming, coming,” Gibbons said. “He fights like a machine, and he is very amazing.”
Taduran will fly to Japan on Sunday to prepare for his world title rematch against Shigeoka, whom he dethroned via ninth round technical knockout when they first fought in July last year.
“This fight is important to give my family a better life. I must win this rematch to prove everybody that my victory is not a fluke. I am now 90% okay,” Taduran said. “I would like to thank ma’am Cucuy Elorde and brother Martin for taking care of me and Sir Sean Gibbons.”
Taduran (17-4-1, with 13 knockouts) said his first-ever fight in Japan was “very memorable.”
“All my sacrifices come to fruition. I am glad because it was my first time fighting in Japan,” he added.
A repeat win by Taduran over Shigeoka (11-1 record, with nine KOs) would mean the Philippines will still have two world boxing champions — the other being World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight titleholder Melvin Jerusalem.
