Reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimum weight champion Pedro Taduran – now the country’s only Filipino world boxing champion-will go back to active training next week at the Elorde gym in Sucat, Parañaque City.
After spending quality time with his wife Mary Joy and son McGaven in Cabuyao, Laguna, the 29-year-old two-time world champion also expressed sadness after Melvin Jerusalem lost his World Boxing Council (WBC) minimum weight title in South Africa last week.
‘I was sad because I am the only Filipino world champion right now after Melvin’s loss, but I believe he can comeback as a world champion again. On my part, I need to be in a good condition to prepare for my next fight,’ Taduran told BusinessMirror on Wednesday.
‘We never know how long we will be champion. So, we must take care of ourselves even though we do not know when our next fight will be,’ he added. ‘Anybody is welcome.’
Jerusalem lost via unanimous decision in his rematch with South African Siyakholwa Kuse on Sunday at the Kempton Park.
But Taduran (20-4-1 win-loss-draw record with 14 knockouts) believes another Filipino – if not Jerusalem – will rise to the occasion to become a world champion soon.
‘There is Charly [Suarez] this year, and some other Filipino fighters that can become champions,’ added Taduran, who is coming from a seven-round knockout win against Gustavo Perez Alvarez of Mexico last April 3 in Pechanga, California.
He also said that he is open to fight either Kuse or World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimum weight champion Oscar Collazo in a unification fight anytime, and anywhere to unite the 105-pound belt.