Pedro Taduran secured his second world title with a stunning ninth-round victory over Japan’s Ginjiro Shigeoka, reclaiming the IBF minimumweight championship at the Shiga Daihatsu Arena in Otsu City, Japan, on Sunday.
The 27-year-old from Libon, Albay, set the tone early by neutralizing Shigeoka’s feared body attack while launching a fierce offensive of his own. Taduran’s relentless pressure and strategic precision quickly took a toll on Shigeoka, who began showing signs of distress early in the fight. This win improved Taduran’s record to 17 wins (13 KOs), 4 losses, and 1 draw.
The fight’s pivotal moment came in the fourth round when Shigeoka sustained damage to his right eye, severely impairing his defense against Taduran’s relentless assault. As the rounds progressed, Shigeoka’s condition worsened, with his nose bloodied and his right eye nearly swollen shut.
Taduran’s relentless pace and powerful attacks left Shigeoka unable to mount an effective counter, raising concerns about his health and safety. By the seventh round, it became apparent that the fight might need to be stopped as Taduran continued to dominate.
The decisive moment 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 round.
The stoppage marked the first loss of Shigeoka’s professional career, dropping his record to 11-1 (9 KOs).
