Pedro Taduran enters a crucial phase of his buildup for the first defense of his world title next month in Osaka, Japan.  PHOTOGRAPH by Nick Giongco for the daily tribune @tribunephl_nick
BOXING

Taduran training heats up

Nick Giongco

Pedro Taduran is back doing hard training at the Elorde Sports Complex as his first defense of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight title nears.

“Back in camp,” Taduran told DAILY TRIBUNE on Monday.

Taduran is slated to battle Ginjiro Shigeoka in a rematch on 25 May in Osaka, Japan.

The first time they met, Taduran scored a ninth-round stoppage in Otsu City last July.

The Filipino southpaw, known for his staying power and non-stop punching, was supposed to defend against Zhu Dianxing in Korea last November but the event got scrapped.

With a little over six weeks remaining before the fight, Taduran is no longer heading to his Laguna home during weekends.