Taduran trainer predicts seventh-round stoppage win
MANILA, Philippines — The camp of International Boxing Federation minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran does not see his upcoming title defense going the distance.
“We expect Pedro to stop the fight in Round Seven,” said Taduran’s trainer Carl Penalosa, whose ward will put his belt on the line against Mexico’s Gustavo Perez Alvarez at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California on Saturday (Manila time).
“Gustavo is more of a defensive guy but he attacks also. So, we are preparing for those things,” added Penalosa of the Mexican challenger, who sports a record of 16-1, with five knockouts.
The pressure-fighting Taduran (19-4-1, 13 KOs) should be a significant favorite heading into the bout, and he wants to pull off a rousing debut on US soil.
“I want to have a good impression here in the United States because this is the first time I defend my title here,” the 29-year-old reigning champion said.
Taduran and his team recently arrived in California from Las Vegas, where he put the finishing touches on his training at the Knucklehead Boxing Gym owned by influential boxing figure Sean Gibbons.
Against Alvarez, the Albay native will be making the third defense of the IBF diadem, following wins over Japan’s Ginjiro Shigeoka and fellow Filipino Christian Balunan.
Taduran declared himself ready for war.
“My body is cooperating and my weight is now comfortable after a few days of diet. I do not eat that much but I feel strong and faster than the last time,” he said,
“I also studied the movement of my opponent so far. He is very tactical, but I will be ready.”
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