IBF champ concludes holiday break

As the holiday fever begins to die down, Filipino boxers head back to their respective training camps.

One of them is reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight ruler Pedro Taduran, who reunites with lead trainer Carl Peñalosa Jr. at the Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

Taduran, a southpaw, spent almost two weeks during the holidays in his hometown of Libon, Albay.

But even during the Christmas season, Taduran made it a point to work out to ensure that he doesn’t go out of shape.

There are plans to hold Taduran’s first defense of the IBF 105-lb throne in the first quarter of the year against fellow Filipino Ar-Ar Andales with Manny Pacquiao Presents: Blow-By-Blow putting it up.

“I am thrilled about it,” Taduran said on Friday as he was packing his bags on the long bus journey from Bicol to Metro Manila.

He was set to defend against Chinese Zhu Dianxing last November in Jeju Island, Korea, but the fight was called off at the last minute.

Efforts are now underway to stage Taduran’s defense in the country with American boxing man Sean Gibbons coordinating with Sanman Boxing’s JC Mananquil.