Teacher’s pet is world champ

IBF minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran is a certified teacher’s pet. His wife Mary Joy is a Grade One elementary school teacher in Cabuyao, Laguna and she’s the reason why he left training camp in Bangar, La Union, to hook up with the Elordes in Sucat, Parañaque, to be closer to family. Besides, their only child McGaven is one year old and Taduran would rather be nearer to him, too.

Taduran used to be trained by former IBF lightflyweight titlist Tacy Macalos at the Hardstone gym in Bangar but now works with Erbing Peñalosa. He’s on his second reign as IBF beltholder and last July, the Albay native was sensational in dethroning previously unbeaten Ginjiro Shigeoka via a ninth-round stoppage in Otsu City, Shiga prefecture. Shigeoka never went down but was clearly defenseless when referee Steve Willis waved it off. The Japanese’s right eye was almost swollen shut and his nose was bloodied as he was brought to a hospital in an ambulance after the fight.

For his first defense, Taduran will take on Chinese No. 3 contender Zhu Dian Xing in Jeju Island, South Korea, on Nov. 23. Zhu, 28, is the highest-ranked challenger as the No. 1 and No. 2 slots are vacant. His record is 14-1, with 12 KOs compared to Taduran’s 17-4-1, with 13 KOs. Zhu’s list of victims includes Filipinos Shane Gentallan, Richard Garde, Mark Rementizo and Jerry Francisco. Eight of his last nine outings ended inside the distance and his only loss was a four-round decision to countryman Fangyong Zheng in 2019.

Taduran, 27, declined to reveal what he has in store for Zhu. “May fight plan na kami ni coach Erbing,” he said. “OK ang preparasyon namin. Nag-iinsayo ako ng maayos. Balak namin pumunta sa Korea one week before the fight. Si Sir Sean (Gibbons) ang nag-areglo ng laban at mabuti nga neutral ang bansa kung saan gaganapin.”

The eighth of nine children, Taduran learned how to box from his brother Joseph when he was in Grade Three. His two brothers Jorge and Joel tried their luck as pros but weren’t successful. Taduran said his father Pedro, Sr., a farm caretaker of animals and “itak” maker, and mother Belencita, a barangay police officer, are in Libon, Albay, praying that he returns home from Jeju Island still the champion.