Pedro Taduran stops Gustavo Perez Alvarez, retains IBF crown in US debut

Pedro Taduran bullied his way to a dominant stoppage win over Gustavo “Smiley” Perez Alvarez to retain his IBF world minimumweight title on Saturday (Philippine time) at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.

Making a successful US debut, Taduran secured the stoppage at the 1:34 mark of the seventh round after sending his Mexican challenger to the canvas four times.

The Filipino champion first unleashed a punishing body shot that dropped Perez Alvarez in round four. Although the 27-year-old contender beat the count, Taduran followed up with another explosive barrage that put him down again.

By the end of the fourth round, “Smiley” was no longer in a smiling mood.

The 29-year-old native of Libon, Albay asserted full control as the fight progressed, landing a blinding left hand to score another knockdown before the end of the sixth.

Sensing the finish, “Kid Heneral” continued to apply relentless pressure. Perez Alvarez eventually wilted, and a final left bomb to the midsection forced him to a knee, prompting the referee to wave off the bout.

The victory marked Taduran’s third successful defense of his 105-pound world title, improving his record to 20-4-1 with 14 knockouts.

—JKC, GMA News