PEDRO TADURAN RETAINS IBF TITLE WITH SPLIT DECISION VICTORY OVER GINJIRO SHIGEOKA IN OSAKA (PHOTOS)
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 24 May 2025
In a gritty and relentlessly paced championship battle, Pedro Taduran successfully retained his IBF minimumweight title, defeating rival Ginjiro Shigeoka by a hard-fought split decision this Saturday afternoon at the Intex Arena in Osaka. The victory marks Taduran's second consecutive triumph over Shigeoka, solidifying his reign in the division.
The judges' scorecards reflected the intensely competitive nature of the 12-round contest. Katsuhiko Nakamura of Japan scored the bout a wide 118-110 in favor of Taduran, while Gil Co of the Philippines saw it closer, 115-113 for the champion. The lone dissenting voice came from Dave Braslow of the United States, who awarded Shigeoka the fight by a 115-113 margin.
Shigeoka, clearly having learned from his 9th-round knockout loss to Taduran last year, entered the ring with a markedly different strategy. Eschewing the aggressive tactics of their first encounter, the Japanese fighter opted for a more disciplined approach, focusing on boxing from the outside and looking to counter Taduran's relentless offense. This tactical shift undeniably made the fight a much closer affair, a testament to Shigeoka's adaptability and determination.
However, Taduran's signature high-volume, fast-paced attack proved to be the difference-maker. The Filipino champion consistently smothered Shigeoka with non-stop combinations, never allowing his opponent to settle into a rhythm. His relentless pressure and superior work rate, even when met with Shigeoka's sharp counters, ultimately swayed two of the three judges. Taduran's performance showcased his remarkable stamina and unwavering commitment to an aggressive, forward-moving style.
The toll of the grueling 12-round war was starkly evident after the final bell. Upon the announcement of the verdict, a completely spent Shigeoka slumped in his corner, visibly exhausted and emotionally drained. The intensity of the fight, combined with the disappointment of another defeat at the hands of Taduran, led to a concerning scene as Shigeoka was ultimately carried out of the ring on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital for evaluation. His courageous effort, though ultimately falling short, was undeniable.
With this victory, Pedro Taduran improves his impressive professional record to 18-4-1, with 13 of his wins coming by knockout. For Ginjiro Shigeoka, the loss marks his second professional defeat, both coming against Taduran, dropping his record to 11-2-0 with 9 KOs. The rivalry between these two minimumweight warriors has delivered two memorable clashes, leaving fans to wonder if a rubber match might be in the cards down the line. For now, Pedro Taduran stands firmly at the top of the IBF minimumweight division.
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