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After leaving his last foe partially paralyzed, Pedro Taduran hopes to get past the memory as the pride of Albay puts his world title on the line against Christian Balunan
MANILA, Philippines – Pedro Taduran tries to shun the memory of the grim injury his last victim suffered when he defends the IBF (International Boxing Federation) world strawweight crown against countryman Christian Balunan on Sunday, October 26, at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
In his first defense of the 105-pound title on May 24 in Osaka, Japan, Taduran sent Ginjiro Shigeoka on the brink of death, undergoing brain surgery that left the Japanese partially paralyzed and forced retirement.
Though Taduran wants to beat Balunan, the thought of Shigeoka still recovering in the hospital haunts the pride of Libon, Albay, to this day.
After the official weigh-in on Saturday, October 25, when Taduran and Balunan both checked in at 104.3 pounds, Taduran admitted that sometimes he still gets affected because of the unfortunate incident.
Only the encouragement of his family and chief trainer Carl Penalosa Jr., prodded Taduran to continue fighting and seek more ring glory.
Taduran expects the 5-foot-6 Balunan to fight from the distance and exploit his 2-inch height and reach advantage and is ready to move in with caution.
“I’m used to fighting a tall guy like Balunan,” said Taduran. “I just have to follow the game plan of coach Carl Penalosa and I’m certain 100 percent that I would win.”
Although Taduran is more experienced (18 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw, with 13 knockouts) and had better opponents, the unbeaten Balunan (12-0, with 7 knockouts) of Consolacion, Cebu, believes he’s up to the challenge, especially with the long and hard training he underwent under trainer Edito Villamor.
The Taduran-Balunan encounter headlines the fight card dubbed “Thrilla in Manila II Countdown,” put up by Cucuy Elorde and Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions. It could be viewed on Elorde TV YouTube channel. – Rappler.com