Taduran to defend IBF crown

INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran makes his first title defense in enemy territory as he takes on Mexican challenger Daniel Valladares on Feb. 1, 2020, in Guadalupe, Nueva Leon, Mexico.

The 23-year-old Taduran won the vacant IBF strap with a fourth round stoppage of previously unbeaten Samuel Salva in an all-Filipino world title fight on Sept. 7, 2019 in Taguig City.

Taduran, who came in as an underdog, survived a first round knockdown and forced Salva to quit on his stool at the break before the fifth round. That bout was Taduran’s only fight last year.

Valladares, on the other hand, earned his mandatory status at the expense of a Filipino fighter. He beat Cebuano Christian Araneta via a fourth round stoppage after the latter re-injured his shoulder in their IBF title eliminator in Mexico on Sept. 7, 2019.

Valladares had an impressive 2019, winning all four of his fights. The fighters he beat that year were previously unbeaten Gilbert Gonzalez, former world champion Merlito Sabillo and Gabriel Ramirez Anaya.

Taduran is 14-2 with 11 knockouts, while Valladares is 22-1 with 13 knockouts. (EKA)