Pedro Taduran upsets Japan champ to reclaim IBF world title

SAITAMA, Japan–Pedro Taduran finally got one back for the Philippines against Japan in boxing.

Taduran on Sunday put an emphatic end to Filipino boxers’ losing trend against the Japanese in world title bouts by stopping Ginjiro Shigeoka to snatch the IBF minimumweight crown at Otsu City.

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The pride of Libon, Albay pulled off the upset in the ninth round after unloading a flurry of punches while a helpless Shigeoka was against the ropes, prompting the referee to stop the bout.

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Shigeoka tasted defeat for the first time after starting his pro career at 11-0.

Taduran’s stunning victory came just eight days after his compatriot Vincent Astrolabio suffered a first-round loss to Japan’s Junto Nakatani in Tokyo.

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The last seven months also saw former world champions Marlon Tapales and Jerwin Ancajas fall to Inoue brothers Naoya and Takuma, respectively.

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The 27-year-old Taduran (17-4-1, 14KOs), who regained the title he lost in 2022, also became just the second current Filipino world champion after Melvin Jerusalem, who won the WBC 105-pound strap last March.

Interestingly, Jerusalem claimed the crown after beating Shigeoka’s older brother Yudai by split decision in Nagoya, Japan.

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