IBF champion gets homesick

Going six weeks into his United States training camp, reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran admits he is already longing for home.

“Yes, I kind of feeling homesick,” Taduran told DAILY TRIBUNE on Tuesday from his Las Vegas training base.

Taduran left Manila on New Year’s Day in the hopes of securing a lucrative and rewarding unification clash with Puerto Rican Oscar Collazo, the World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association titleholder.

Instead, Collazo is geared towards a showdown with the remaining champion in the 105-pound category: World Boxing Council ruler Melvin Jerusalem.

Like Taduran, Jerusalem is likewise in training mode in Cebu City since December after being informed that Collazo wants him next.

That fight is being planned for March with Puerto Rico as top candidate as venue. Staging it on American soil is also in the table.

With Taduran left out in the cold, his American benefactor is looking at giving him  another fight to keep him active.

“It’s lonely but I have to make sacrifices for the sake of my family,” added the Bicol-born southpaw.

Last year, Taduran made two defenses of the crown, first in Osaka where he beat up Ginjiro Shigeoka in May, and the second in Manila where he outclassed compatriot Christian Balunan in October.

To keep himself sharp, Taduran racked up quality sparring sessions recently, hoping that he finally receives word about that planned fight in the US.

Meanwhile, Taduran won’t be skipping a beat in training, knowing what’s down the road.