Taduran defense in limbo

IBF minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran would rather face super WBA/WBO titlist Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico in a unification showdown than stake his crown against China’s Zhu Dian Xing but he’ll fight whomever, now that his defense in Jeju Island, South Korea, is in limbo.

Taduran, one of the Philippines’ two reigning world boxing kings, was set to take on Zhu last Saturday but promoter Sang Bum Kim pulled the plug two weeks before. Lack of sponsors was reportedly an issue, making the event financially untenable. Kim has staged 21 events in Vietnam, South Korea, Uzbekistan and Cambodia since 2019 and is no stranger to big matches through his Cocky Buffalo Promotions. After the postponement, Taduran broke camp at the Elorde gym in Sucat and stayed a week with his family in Cabuyao, Laguna. A few days ago, Taduran returned to work with trainer Erbing Peñalosa at Elorde. “Sayang training namin at biglang na-postpone,” said Peñalosa. “Light training muna kami at hintay kung sino mauna mag-offer, labanan namin.”

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said he was surprised the fight was scratched. “All I know is that they’re trying to reschedule the fight in Macau in January,” he said. Taduran’s manager Marty Elorde said everything is up in the air. “Wala pang confirmed date,” he noted. “Yung promoter may problema ‘ata sa sponsor. Relax muna sa ensayo at may inaayos si Sir Sean. Gusto ni Pedro si Collazo. Si Sir Sean ang mag-arrange kung mabigyan ng chance.”

Although Taduran prefers Collazo, he won’t back down from engaging Zhu who’s the highest ranked IBF contender with a record of 14-1, including 12 KOs. Taduran, 28, said his dream is to become a unified champion but he’s staying away from countryman WBC 105-pound ruler Melvin Jerusalem. His target is Collazo whose record is 11-0, with eight KOs. Collazo, 27, has victimized Filipinos Garen Diagan, Vic Saludar and Jerusalem so Taduran’s mission is payback.