In a dramatic and unexpected turn of events, Pedro Taduran captured his second world title with a surprise ninth-round victory over Ginjiro Shigeoka.
The Filipino boxer’s upset victory to reclaim the IBF minimumweight championship transpired at the Shiga Daihatsu Arena in Otsu City, Japan on Sunday.
From the outset, the 27-year-old native of Libon, Albay demonstrated his intent by neutralizing Shigeoka’s feared body attack while launching an aggressive offensive of his own.
Taduran’s relentless pressure and strategic precision took a toll on Shigeoka, who began to show signs of distress early in the encounter.
The pivotal moment came in the fourth frame when Shigeoka sustained damage to his right eye, hampering his ability to defend against the Filipino boxer’s onslaught.
As the rounds progressed, the champion’s condition worsened, with his nose bloodied and his right eye nearly swollen shut.
The relentless pace and power of Taduran’s attacks left Shigeoka unable to mount an effective counter, raising concerns about his health and safety as the bout continued.
By the seventh stanza, the possibility of stopping the fight became apparent as Taduran continued to dominate.
The decisive juncture arrived in the ninth round. With Shigeoka backed against the ropes and unable to mount any significant offense, referee Steve Willis stepped in to halt the bout with just 10 seconds remaining in the period.
The stoppage marked the first loss of Shigeoka’s professional career, dropping his record to 11-1 (9 KOs).
The heavily favored Shigeoka entered the match as The Ring Magainze’s No. 1-rated strawweight pugilist and was defending his title for the second time.
Shigeoka had hoped to retain the belt and maintain his family’s presence in the championship scene, especially after his older brother, Yudai Shigeoka, lost the WBC title to Melvin Jerusalem earlier this year.
However, Taduran — ranked No. 8 in the division by The Ring Magazine, had other plans.
For Taduran, this victory is a significant milestone in his career. Improving his record to 17-4-1 (13 KOs), he has now won three consecutive contests.
This triumph also marked his second world title, having previously claimed the IBF minimumweight belt in a victory over Samuel Salva.
