Pedro Taduran to defend IBF title against Mexican challenger in April

Reigning IBF minimumweight world champion Pedro Taduran is scheduled to defend his title against Mexican contender Gustavo Perez on April 3 (April 4, Philippine time) at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California.

The bout marks the third title defense for the Filipino southpaw.

Taduran has been training in Las Vegas for the past six weeks in preparation for the matchup.

The Libon, Albay native captured the IBF 105-pound strap in July 2024 with a ninth-round technical knockout of the previously unbeaten Ginjiro Shigeoka in Japan. He successfully defended the title in a mandatory rematch last May in Osaka, securing a split-decision victory after a grueling 12-round contest.

Most recently, Taduran maintained his activity with a dominant 12-round unanimous decision win over fellow Filipino Christian Balunan in Manila last October.

The Mexican challenger enters the contest as a dangerous opponent looking to secure his first world title.

The winner of this clash is expected to be a primary candidate for an undisputed title bout later this year.

Potential opponents include the winner of the March 14 unification fight between WBC champion Melvin Jerusalem and unified WBA and WBO titlist Oscar Collazo.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News