Top priority

Before heading back to the United States a couple of days ago, Sean Gibbons picked up his phone and dialed the camp of International Boxing Federation (IBF) minumumweight champion Pedro Taduran.

The Filipino southpaw is fresh from retaining the IBF 105-pound crown and was told by the influential American dealmaker that he is already working on things.

Cucuy Elorde, who manages the Bicol-born puncher alongside her brother Marty, also got the assurance from Gibbons that Taduran is tops on his priority list.

Taduran, a relentless-punching southpaw, outpointed compatriot Christian Balunan last 26 October.

“Definitely, I will be working on Pedro’s next fight,” Gibbons told DAILY TRIBUNE.

A unification clash with World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association champion Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico is the main target but if this fight can’t be made, Gibbons will look elsewhere and Japan looks like another prime candidate.

Japan has three listed contenders in the IBF rankings: Takeshi Ishii, Katsuri Mori and Goki Kobayashi.

Taduran won the title on Japanese soil in July last year and his first defense took place there as well last May.

Known for his volume-punching, Taduran was pushed to the limit by the unheralded, inexperienced but gusty Balunan in their 12-round showdown at the San Andres Sports Complex.

Moments after the victory, Taduran called out Collazo but stressed that in the event a unification duel can’t be agreed upon, he is more than willing to meet fellow Filipino Melvin Jerusalem, holder of the World Boxing Council jewels.

Jerusalem and Taduran are the country’s only world champions and Collazo insists that his target in 2026 is to unify all the belts and become undisputed.