Taduran settles for Moreno

MANILA, Philippines — IBF minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran finally found a willing challenger as undefeated No. 4 contender Brandon Moreno of Spain has stepped up to battle the Philippines’ only reigning world boxing titleholder on the “Pride of Nations” main event at the Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Nov. 7.

Taduran flew from Manila to Las Vegas last Wednesday with former IBF superflyweight ruler Jerwin Ancajas for the final two weeks of preparation before two weigh-ins. IBF stipulates a weigh-in the day before the fight and another weigh-in with a cap of 10 pounds over the division limit the morning of the bout. “Hindi naman hirap si Pedro to get the limit of 105,” said his manager Cucuy Elorde. “Hirap siya the next day sa 115 limit. Pero OK naman siya ngayon.” IBF championship committee chairman George Martinez confirmed the sanction of the title fight in a letter to Taduran’s negotiator Sean Gibbons.

Reeling in a challenger for Taduran wasn’t easy. “Pedro is the most avoided 105-pounder in the world,” said Gibbons. “You mention his name in Japan and they get dizzy and run. Japan is terrified of Pedro. So is (WBA/WBO unified champion) Oscar Collazo who when he hears Pedro’s name, gets into cold sweats, goes under his bed and hides. I’ve never seen a guy so scared of a fighter.” Gibbons attempted to arrange a showdown between Taduran and Collazo for a WBA/WBO/IBF unification duel. But the Puerto Rican wouldn’t come close to a deal.

Moreno, 33, has never fought outside of Spain and boasts a 16-0 record with five KOs. He survived a knockdown in outpointing Raul Zabala for the Spanish crown in 2023 and nine of his last 10 fights went the distance. Taduran, 29, has a record of 20-4-1, with 14 KOs. He’s on his second reign as IBF champion.