Pedro Taduran and his team fly to Osaka on Sunday oozing with confidence that the Filipino puncher would be returning home with the International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight titlebelt still strapped around his waist.

Challenging him on 24 May at the Intex Osaka is Ginjiro Shigeoka, who has vowed to exact payback following his ninth-round technical knockout defeat in Otsu City last July.

But before the two trade power punches for the second straight time, Taduran will do an open workout for the Japanese media this Tuesday afternoon at the KWorld3 Boxing Gym.

The official weighin then happens on Friday and the press conference taking place shortly after at the Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka.

Joining Taduran in the flight to Osaka are chief trainer Carl Peñalosa Jr. and his handlers — Elorde siblings Marty and Cucuy.

Peñalosa swears Shigeoka will find himself either forced to trade early or ride his bike as early as the first round.

“Pedro’s not going to waste any time sizing him up. The moment the bell rings, Pedro’s going to be throwing punches,” said Peñalosa, who is the brother of former world champions and two-division titleholders Dodie Boy and Gerry.