Teacher’s pet is world champ
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 26 Oct 2024
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, Paranaque, 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 Penalosa. 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.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Battles Mexican Strongman Manuel Gallegos
Fri, 06 Mar 2026USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Travels to Thailand for 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
Fri, 06 Mar 2026Eddie Hearn Signs UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall for New Matchroom Talent Agency
Fri, 06 Mar 2026Wise Owl Boxing Signs Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect Ebenezer “The Stuntman” Griffith
Fri, 06 Mar 2026International Boxing Association Strengthens Strategic Presence in Cape Verde Following High-Level Official Visit
Thu, 05 Mar 2026Asia's First GM Eugene Torre 2nd in Russia chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Mar 2026Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Champion Oscar "El Pupilo" Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of March 14 Fight
Thu, 05 Mar 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Youth High Performance Team Announced
Thu, 05 Mar 20262026 USA Boxing Women’s Youth High Performance Team Announced
Thu, 05 Mar 2026Michael Linde rules Pangasinan chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Mar 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 MARCH 2026: Navarrete Stops Nunez; Parra Jnr Outpoints Pierce; Wins by Emiliano Vargas and Abel Ramos
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Mar 2026Team Philippines Crowned Champions of the 2026 Predator WPA Teams World Championship
Wed, 04 Mar 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev calls for radical reform of the Olympic Movement and equal rights for athletes
Wed, 04 Mar 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Tue, 03 Mar 2026Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 03 Mar 2026