Relentless Pedro Taduran stops Samuel Salva for vacant IBF minimumweight title

Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino Pedro Taduran made the most out of his second crack at the world title after stunning compatriot Samuel Salva to win the vacant IBF minimumweight title Saturday night at Philippine Navy Gym at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.

Taduran shook off a first-round knockdown and was relentless in the third and fourth rounds, unleashing combinations from all angles that overwhelmed Salva.

“Naramdaman ko na parang naghina na siya nung third round kaya sinugod ko na nang sinugod,” Taduran told reporters.

(I felt that he wasn’t strong enough in the third round that’s why I kept coming at him.)

Salva, who dropped Taduran with a counter right in the opening round, seemed to have survived the onslaught in the fourth round but he couldn’t go on for the fifth.

The fight marked the first all-Filipino world title showdown staged in the country in 94 years.

The 22-year-old Salva needed oxygen and had to be stretchered off after the bout.

It was Salva’s first loss after starting his pro career at 17-0 with 10 knockouts.

Taduran (14-2, 11 KOs) was deemed as the underdog but his experience fighting in a world title bout showed.

Taduran previously lost to Thailand’s Chayaphon Moonsri on points last year for the WBC crown.