KO-seeking Taduran expects Shigeoka to box, move

MANILA, Philippines — Adjustments will be key for Filipino boxer Pedro Taduran, as he aims to defend the International Boxing Federation minimumweight championship against Japanese Ginjiro Shigeoka in their rematch in Osaka, Japan on May 24. 

Shigeoka, last year, suffered a technical knockout defeat against Taduran in Japan to lose the championship. 

And now, the two sluggers will battle it out for the title once again. But this time it will be Taduran wearing the belt around his waist. 

In an interview with reporters after Taduran’s open training Friday at the Elorde Sports Center in Paranaque City, trainer Carl Penalosa Jr. said that their plan is to knock Shigeoka out cold.

But this will not be easy, Penalosa said, as they expect the Japanese to “run and punch”, which is why their training program this time around is enough to last 12 rounds — even more.

“Tatakbo nang tatakbo yun. Suntok-alis, suntok-alis, suntok. So, kaya ginawan namin ng Plan A, Plan B, Plan C,” he told reporters.

“Saka [nag-set kami] yung adjustment ‘pag aabot nang 12 rounds. Sobra pa,” the trainer stressed.

Still, both Penalosa and Taduran stressed that knocking the opponent out will still be the priority for them.

“Ang kalaban namin, ang gusto lang, suntok-alis, suntok-alis. Pagkatapos ng 12 rounds, delikado na kami. Kaya, knock out talaga ang target namin,” Penalosa said. 

“Kailangan talaga, papasukin talaga namin. Yun ang plano namin… Saka ang importante sa amin, yung adjustment.”

Taduran also acknowledged that adjustments will be an important part of his title defense. 

“Ang pinagplanuhan namin ni Coach Carl is yung game plan namin sa laban. Naisip namin na tatakbo yung kalaban, kaya may gagawin kami dun sa laban namin, kung babaguhin yung laban,” he said. 

The boxer agrees that he might have a hard time winning if the bout goes to the scorecards. 

He then promised to do his best to knock Shigeoka out. 

“Kasi, pag umabot [ng 12 rounds,] siyempre, lugar nila... Basta, gagawin ko po yung lahat na makakaya ko na i-knockout siya. Pero hindi ko din masabi,” he said. 

“Meron din kaming binago ni coach kanina para hindi mabasa yung galawan namin ni Sigeoka. Para mas ma-pressure.” 

Taduran said he trained for about three months. He also had more than 120 rounds of sparring, which came almost daily. 

He added that he is wary of Shigeoka’s dangerous hook.

For his part, Penalosa believes that with Taduran’s improved hand speed and power, he expects his ward to go out swinging.

“Pag tinamaan siya, hindi siya titigilan hanggang di siya ma-knockout. Pag makatama kami, wala na. Ubos na. Pasok nang pasok, suntok nang suntok.”