There was no doubt that IBF minimum weight champion Pedro Taduran was the better man in defending his title against Ginjiro Shigeoka in Osaka last Saturday. The split decision was totally unfair as it should’ve been unanimous. Shigeoka had to be stretchered out of the ring after the fight and is still recovering in the hospital at the moment, according to Taduran’s manager Cucuy Elorde.
Curiously, Shigeoka also had to be carried off the ring on a stretcher after he lost the IBF crown to Taduran on a ninth-round stoppage in Otsu last year. Referee Steve Willis stepped in to call a halt to the contest as Shigeoka was clearly in bad shape although he never went down. In the rematch, the Japanese tried something tactically different, boxing from a distance and dancing instead of engaging. Taduran, however, was prepared to stay on top of Shigeoka no matter what style he used.
Taduran’s coach Erbing Peñalosa said it took a few rounds to figure out Shigeoka but once the adjustment was made, it was smooth sailing. “Nakuha lang namin si Shigeoka sa adjustment from the fifth round hanggang dulo,” said Peñalosa. “Pinasok namin sya at palaging una ang jab.” There was no stopping Taduran’s relentless attack. Shigeoka courageously held his ground but was clearly outfought.
Elorde said Shigeoka should consider retiring. “Need na mag–retire,” she noted. “All clear si Pedro, walang galos sa mukha. Dapat unanimous decision at not good yung American judge.” Filipino judge Gil Co saw it 115-113 and Japanese judge Katsuhiko Nakamura scored it a lopsided 118-110 for the Filipino, drawing praise for his impartiality. It was Maryland judge Dave Braslow whom Elorde referred to as he had it 115-113 for Shigeoka. In their first meeting, Taduran was ahead on the three judges’ scorecards when the fight was stopped. Judges Adam Height of Australia and Matteo Montella of Italy had it 78-74 while judge Jerome Lades of France, 77-75.
In the rematch, Braslow scored the first three rounds for Shigeoka and even gave him the last frame which Taduran dominated as the Japanese struggled to survive exhaustion and a bad beating. Nakamura saw Taduran winning 10 of 12 rounds, including the last four. Co gave seven rounds to Taduran who said it was a tougher challenge. “Mas nahirapan ako kasi mas magalaw siya kaysa dati,” Taduran admitted.
Elorde said it’s up to MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons to decide what’s the next step for Taduran. Gibbons’ son Brendan was in Osaka for the fight with Elorde, her brother Marty and Peñalosa. Both WBC champion Melvin Jerusalem and Taduran are eyeing a unification showdown with WBO/WBA titlist Oscar Collazo so it’s a race between the two Filipinos. Gibbons arranges fights for both Jerusalem and Taduran so either way, it’ll be an honor for the Philippines.
