Taduran repeats over Shigeoka, keeps world minimumweight title

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Albay pride Pedro Taduran remains a world champion after a split decision win over Japanese Ginjiro Shigeoka, who nearly fell unconscious after the bout

MANILA, Philippines – Pedro Taduran didn’t get the knockout and settled for a split decision win against Ginjiro Shigeoka in their rematch for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight crown on Saturday, May 24, at Intex Osaka in Japan.

In their first battle on July 28, 2024 in Otsu City, Taduran stopped Shigeoka in the ninth round to snatch the belt from the then-unbeaten Japanese.

Taduran wanted to repeat that feat, but Shigeoka refused to go down before his countrymen.

In the end, however, Shigeoka, nearly fell unconscious and had to be brought out of the venue in a stretcher as a precautionary measure.

While two of the judges saw Taduran the clear winner, 118-110 and 115-113, the third judge sided with Shigeoka, 115-113, in the action-packed 12-rounder.

After sizing up Shigeoka in the first two rounds, the 5-foot-4 Taduran began to assert his size, four inches taller, and longer reach, by three inches, pinning the Japanese to the ropes in the third and landing crisp lefts.

Shigeoka had his moments in the sixth and eighth rounds, evading Taduran’s lunges while unleashing some jabs and left hooks.

Reaping the benefits of long and hard training charted by his coach Carl Peñalosa Jr., Taduran intensified his assault in the 10th, connecting with lefts to the head before shifting to the body.

Feeling he’s lagging in the scorecards, Shigeoka fought back in the 11th but had little to give in the 12th, which Taduran dominated.

Taduran said he could not tag Shigeoka with combinations as the Japanese kept moving around the ring.

The pride of Libon, Albay, also admitted that he got hurt by a few body punches of Shigeoka, but shook it off to keep the fight in control.

Living up to his favorite’s role, Taduran raised his record to 18-4-1 with 13 knockouts, while inflicting Shigeoka a second straight loss after winning his first 11.

Taduran was cheered on by his managers, siblings Marty and Cucuy Elorde. – Rappler.com