Taduran retains IBF title

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Pedro Taduran defended his International Boxing Federation minimumweight championship against Ginjiro Shigeoka, winning via split decision in their rematch yesterday at the INTEX Osaka in Japan.

Taduran needed all 12 rounds, and two of the three judges ultimately ruled in favor of the reigning champion.

One judge scored the contest 115-113 for Taduran while the other had it 115-113 for the hometown bet. The third judge ruled it 118-110 in favor of Taduran.

“Kinabahan ako kasi malakas siya mag body shot. Tapos dito sa lugar niya,” said Taduran.

Taduran kept a steady pace of pressure the whole match, completing combinations and keeping Shigeoka on his toes.

After the match, as the Filipino celebrated his win, Shigeoka was in pain.

Later, a video feed showed him seemingly unconscious, and a few moments later, he was stretchered out of the ring before regaining his bearing.

Taduran improved to 18-4-1 (with four knockouts) while Shigeoka dropped to 11-2 (9 KOs). Both of the Japanese’s losses came against the Filipino slugger.

Last year, Taduran wrested the championship from Shigeoka via technical knockout.

He and countrymen Melvin Jerusalem, who holds the World Boxing Council title in the same weight class, are currently the Philippines’ two active world champions.