SPANISH CONQUEST?: Taduran puts lone world boxing title at stake

The Philippines and Spain face off in a rematch that took 130 years to make on a different battlefield —inside a boxing ring in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the United States — that will have as ultimate prize the International Boxing Federation (IBF) mini-flyweight title.

There was no clear winner in that late 1890s showdown but Saturday night’s (Sunday morning in Manila) clash at the Kiva Auditorium promises to produce a proud victor between Filipino champion Pedro Taduran and Spanish mandatory challenger Brandon Moreno.

“I am not handing the title to him on a silver platter,” vowed Taduran, who will be making the fourth defense of the IBF 105-pound crown in July 2024 in Japan.

Installed as the heavy favorite, Taduran, 30, is determined to put on quite a show as his handlers are lining him up with bigger and better-paying fights next year.

But Moreno, 33, insists that he didn’t take the long flight from Madrid to the US mainland to assume the role of a cannon fodder.

“I am coming to win,” Moreno, unbeaten in 16 fights with five knockouts, said.

Although not as experienced as the Filipino southpaw, Moreno could pose problems with his lateral movement, something Taduran’s team believes has been addressed.

Taduran won’t have his original trainer Carl Penalosa in the corner owing to travel issues but in his place, Joven Jimenez and former world champion Jerwin Ancajas will be right there to call the shots temporarily.

During the official weighin, Taduran hardly encountered any difficulties making the limit, coming in at 104.8 pounds. Moreno also got it in his first try on the scales, stepping in at 105.

Aside from Jimenez and Ancajas, Taduran will also get help in the corner from Brendan Gibbons while providing moral support to one of his managers, Marty Elorde.

The Moreno duel is vital for Taduran since he is the one and only Filipino world boxing champion at the moment.

But if he pulls it off, Taduran can expect a terrific 2027 as he could end up seeing action frequently on American soil.

But first things first.

A job has to be done.

Moreno means business.

Once again, it’s Philippines vs Spain.

Take your pick.