Ruthless Taduran stops Alvarez to defend IBF minimumweight belt
MANILA, Philippines -- Pedro Taduran wiped the smile off of “Smiley” Gustavo Perez Alvarez.
Taduran retained his International Boxing Federation minimumweight championship after stopping Perez Alvarez at the 1:34 mark of the seventh round Saturday afternoon (Manila time) at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California.
The Mexican pressed the attack in the early rounds as Taduran tried to break the his opponent's guard.
In the fourth round, the Filipino sent his opponent to the canvas after a body shot. Perez Alvarez was able to beat the count, but Taduran saw red.
He sent the 27-year-old to the canvas anew with another body shot, as the pride of Albay uncorked combinations.
This changed the tone of the fight, as Taduran once again knocked his opponent down late in the sixth round with a hook.
Come the seventh, Taduran continued to assert his prowess and finally stopped Perez Alvarez with another body shot.
The Mexican was able to stand before the count of 10, but referee Thomas Taylor called off the contest.
Coincidentally, Taduran’s trainer, Carl Penalosa, earlier said that he expects his ward to “stop the fight in Round 7.”
The Filipino now has a professional boxing record of 20-4-1 (win-loss-draw) with 14 knockouts, while Perez Alvarez dropped to 16-2.
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