Filipino fighter Pedro Taduran didn’t allow the pandemic to slow down his buildup for the second defense of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight crown.
When Metro Manila was placed under a stricter lockdown mode last year, Taduran packed his bags and took a long bus trip to La Union to set up camp upon the advice of manager-trainer Art Monis of Hardstone Boxing.
In La Union, Taduran and world-rated stablemate and fellow Bicol native Michael “Hot and Spicy” Dasmariñas found the setting conducive to training, enabling them to focus on the task at hand.
Taduran is getting ready to defend against compatriot Rene Cuarto of Davao next month in General Santos City while Dasmariñas is prepping up for a possible shot at Naoya Inoue’s scalp in April.
Taduran (14-2-1 with 11 knockouts) is about to commence the crucial sparring stage of his training for Cuarto (18-2-2 with 11 knockouts with the recruitment of the seasoned internationalist and world-ranked Lito Dante.
Taduran swears Cuarto poses serious threats but is nonetheless upbeat about his chances of retaining the IBF 105-lb title.
“I watched some of his fights on video and I know what he does best,” Taduran said in Filipino when asked to size up the challenger, who is rated No. 3 by the IBF.
Over at Cuarto’s camp down south, things are likewise going smoothly with Cuarto receiving pointers from a member of Manny Pacquiao’s training team.
Nonoy Neri, who, alongside Buboy Fernandez makes up Pacquiao’s local set of cornermen, has been pushing Cuarto almost every day.
Taduran is one of four reigning Filipino world champions aside from Pacquiao, John Riel Casimero and Jerwin Ancajas, all talents of the Sean Gibbons-operated MP Promotions.
Last time Taduran fought, the Albay-born puncher battled rugged Mexican Daniel Valladares in a heated draw almost a year ago.
