Pedro Taduran to defend crown in Manila against Spanish challenger
At A Glance
- Pedro Taduran has finally found a challenger for his International Boxing Federation minimumweight crown as Spanish contender Brandon Moreno agreed to fight the Filipino champion in Manila in November.
Pedro Taduran has finally found a challenger for his International Boxing Federation minimumweight crown as Spanish contender Brandon Moreno agreed to fight the Filipino champion in Manila in November.
Taduran, himself, revealed the development on Friday, Aug. 14, as he began his training with a light workout at the Elorde Sports Center in Parañaque City.
“Iyong binibigay po sa akin na kalaban ko nung manager and promoter ko is from Spain si (Brandon) Moreno. Isang undefeated boxer din po yung kalaban ko,” said Taduran, who boasts a 20-4-1 record.
He is also the only reigning Filipino boxer so far.
Taduran said there’s no definite schedule yet for the bout and venue but revealed his fourth title defense will happen in Manila.
The pride of Libon, Albay was initially set to face Dianxing Zhu from China but talks for the supposed mandatory defense for Taduran fell through.
Instead, Taduran is facing Moreno, who is currently No. 4 in the IBF rankings, packing a clean 16-0 record with five knockouts.
The 33-year-old Spaniard, however, has yet to fight outside his country, giving Taduran a huge advantage in the title defense.
The hard-punching Filipino, for one, is excited to once again fight in front of his Filipino fans, something he last did in October last year or when he fought and defeated compatriot Christian Balunan at the San Andres Complex in Manila.
“Masaya po ako na dito po yung laban ko sa Manila kasi yung nakakakilala sa akin, sumusuporta, makakapanood po sila dito sa laban ko. Sobrang masaya po. Tapos sisikapan ko na manalo,” said Taduran.