IBF champ detects major flaws

World champion Pedro Taduran came to realize over the weekend that he has to ramp up his game if he wishes to have an extended reign as International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight king.

Fresh from repulsing the challenge of Ginjiro Shigeoka on a split decision in Osaka, Taduran admitted his punching power needs an upgrade while his footwork warrants a major modification.

“I have to increase my power and improve my movement,” Taduran said upon his arrival in Manila on Sunday.

Taduran made this observation as a unification showdown with Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico, holder of the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization 105-pound jewels looms on the horizon.

Against Shigeoka, Taduran often missed with his punches and he only made up for them with his patented volume punching.

Unlike in their first meeting where he turned Shigeoka’s face like a Halloween mask, it was not the case in the rematch.

While the Filipino banger kept the crown, he was not as devastating as the last time as Shigeoka managed to land well in their recent meeting.

And this is the reason why the 28-year-old felt the need to address those issues when training camp resumes with lead trainer Carl Penalosa Jr. next month.

American dealmaker Sean Gibbons is currently in talks to pit Taduran against Collazo, who is being represented by Golden Boy Promotions, the Los Angeles-based outfit owned by Oscar De La Hoya.

If that’s what down the line, Taduran has to ramp up his game given Collazo’s caliber.

If he doesn’t, his stranglehold on the IBF strap is not going to last that long.