Taduran dangles last Filipino world boxing crown against Romero

FACE-OFF. Filipino champion Pedro Taduran and Brandon Romero of Spain during the weigh-in ahead of their IBF minimumweight bout.

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‘I won't let this title be taken away because I am the only world champion of the Philippines now,’ says Pedro Taduran, the pride of Libon, Albay who looks to defend his IBF minimumweight crown

MANILA, Philippines – Pedro Taduran is the last champion standing in Philippine boxing.

He promised that it would stay that way after his fourth defense of the IBF (International Boxing Federation) minimumweight crown against Spaniard Brandon Romero on Saturday, November 7 (Sunday, November 8, Philippine time) at the Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.

“I won’t let this title be taken away because I am the only world champion of the Philippines now. I’ll fight for it to the best of my abilities,” Taduran said in Filipino during the pre-fight press conference on Friday, November 6.

Bookmakers believe the pride of Libon, Albay, would succeed in his noble mission.

The 30-year-old Taduran, owner of a 20-win (14 knockouts), 4-loss, 1-draw record, is the heavy favorite. With an 87 percent chance of winning and staining Moreno’s clean 16-0 slate with 5 knockouts. 

Moreno admits he holds Taduran in high esteem, but thinks his movement and ability to adjust during fights will be key to his dream to win a world crown in the United States.

Taduran spent the early part of his preparations at the Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Paranaque, before finishing his training at the Knuckleheads Boxing Gym of MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Former world junior bantamweight king Jerwin Ancajas and his longtime trainer/manager Joven Jimenez supervised Taduran’s training in the United States.

“He has made weight and is ready to fight,” Jimenez told Rappler hours before the official weigh-in.

True enough, Taduran checked in at 104,8 pounds, while Romero tipped the scales at an exact 105.

Taduran became the lone Filipino world champion after Melvin Jerusalem yielded the WBC (World Boxing Council) minimumweight belt to Siyakholwa Kuse on May 16 in South Africa. – Rappler.com