Pedro Taduran Aiming for Repeat Over Ginjiro Shigeoka
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 25 Feb 2025
Taduran (L) and Ginjiro Shigeoka exchange punches in their first fight.
IBF minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran is aiming for an equally impressive repeat victory over Japanese erstwhile titleholder Ginjiro Shigeoka in their rematch set this July 24 in Otsu, Japan.
In a radio telephone interview with Taduran via Zoom, he said that he is just taking it light and easy at the Elorde Gym preparatory to the start of his extensive training in April under his coach Carl Penalosa Jr. He added that his previous three months preparation helped him in beating Ginjiro by 9th round technical knockout on the way to winning the IBF title, his second reign in five years.
Taduran said he plans to again complete three months heavy training to achieve the excellent physical condition that allowed him to sustain his incessant fisted attack from the opening bell that rendered Ginjiro extremely damaged, helpless and ready to fall if not for the American referee stopping the carnage.
"We expect Ginjiro to make adjustments and surprise us with a new strategy," the 30-year-old Bicolano champion intimated. "But we will prepare for that and even come up with some new strategies of our own to surprise them."
But basically Taduran said the target is to achieve the same shape and conditioning he had in the first fight which only enhanced his advantage in strength and punching power over the younger and quite inexperienced Ginjiro (11-1-0).
Reviewing their first fight, it was evident that Ginjiro was awed and forced to respect Taduran's strength and fire-power. He likewise never expected Taduran to possess the staying power and the ability to take his best shots when he was still competitive.
Fact was, Ginjiro had nothing to respond to Taduran's ponderous two fisted attacks apart from clinching and pressing himself against the Filipino in a futile bid to somehow smother his offensive.
Ginjiro was particularly vulnerable to Taduran's left shots to the body that defending, left him also open to Taduran's right straights, crosses and hooks to the head. The Japanese tried fighting in a crouch position to protect his breadbasket but that only left him susceptible to Taduran's head-hunting. As early as the end of the third round, swellings had already developed on Ginjiro's face particularly in and around his left eye. Two rounds later, Ginjiro's left eye was just a slit and was bleeding from one nostril. It was tribute to his corner that they were able to somehow control the damage.
Ginjiro tried to fight from the distance riding his bicycle to circle around Taduran and keep the action in the middle of the ring. That worked for him but only for a few moments. As soon as Taduran cut him off and landed his blows, the fight was back in the corners and along the ropes where the Filipino continued to brutally maul the Japanese.
The fight could have been stopped earlier than the ninth as the Ring physician had visited Ginjiro's corner before the eighth but left the decision to the referee who gave the Japanese the benefit of the doubt.
The referee finally stopped the fight after Taduran had Ginjiro pinned along the ropes while raining him with powerful combinations. Ginjiro had to be bodily carried to his corner and rushed out of the arena on a stretcher.
Based on that first fight, Ginjiro who is regarded as the better of the Shigeoka fighting siblings, Yudai is the other, will have a taller order at redemption. Yudai is bidding to regain the WBC crown from tormentor Melvin Jerusalem next month.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
COE AND HART CLASH ON BOOTS ENNIS CARD IN PHILADELPHIA
Thu, 21 Aug 2025‘There's nothing that he brings to the table that I've not got an answer for’ Sam Rennie on upcoming fight at Thunderdome 51
Thu, 21 Aug 2025JAMAINE "THE TECHNICIAN" ORTIZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 21 Aug 2025Gervonta Davis vs. Jake Paul: Exhibition Bout Announced for November
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 21 Aug 2025Legendary boxing coach John Brown Compares cornering Tommy Morrison & Rising young star Marco Romero
Thu, 21 Aug 2025World Kid to Host Meet-and-Greet and Open Workouts In advance of “The Return” on August 31 in Detroit
Thu, 21 Aug 2025Assassin’s Creed: Brian Norman Jr. Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension with Top Rank
Thu, 21 Aug 2025Five Philippine FIDE Masters are scheduled to arrive in Roxas City
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 Aug 2025Boxing Promotional Powerhouse Top Rank Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday, September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 21 Aug 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 12: MUHAMMAD ALI LOSSES THEN WINS AGAINST KEN NORTON
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 20 Aug 2025Pasig and Quezon City top 1st PCAP Rated Open championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 20 Aug 2025Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Full Fight Card Revealed
Wed, 20 Aug 2025Sadam Ali's career highlight: Defeating Terence Crawford to become 2008 U.S. Olympian
Wed, 20 Aug 2025Irish amateur star Jim Donovan to make pro debut on Sept. 13th Outdoors at Windsor Park in Belfast
Wed, 20 Aug 2025Boxer and Philanthropist Boyd Melson Awarded Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden
Wed, 20 Aug 2025