INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran makes his second title defense, this time, against mandatory challenger Rene Mark Cuarto in an all-Filipino world title fight on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021 at the Bula Gym in General Santos City.
Taduran is looking for an impressive win after his last fight ended via a technical draw against Mexican Daniel Valladares on Feb. 1, 2020 in Guadalupe, Mexico.
The 24-year-old Taduran won his IBF belt after winning an all-Filipino world championship fight against Samuel Salva, who owns a win over Cuarto.
Since losing to Salva in an IBF title eliminator back in 2019, the 24-year-old Cuarto, ranked No. 3 by the IBF, patiently waited for his turn. He went 2-0-1 from 2019 and is coming off a fifth round technical knockout win over Jayson Francisco.
Taduran is 14-2-1 with 11 knockouts, while Cuarto is 18-2-2 with 11 knockouts.
On Feb. 20, 2021, the Philippines had an all-Filipino world championship fight between Vic Saludar and Robert Paradero for the World Boxing Association minimumweight belt in Biñan City.
The minimumweight division is stacked with Filipino talents. The likes of Melvin Jerusalem, Salva, Lito Dante, Marco John Rementizo and Clyde Azarcon should be closely watching this contest.
WBO No. 10 rated bantamweight Vincent Astrolabio (15-3, 11 KOs) takes on Jerry Pabila (6-4, 4 KOs), Genisis Libranza (19-1, 11 KOs) slugs it out with former world title challenger John Mark Apolinario (20-14-3, 5 KOs), Orlie Silvestre (15-6-2, 8 KOs) faces off with Bonjun Loperez (12-14-1, 6 KOs), Reymark Ibones (4-0-2, 2 KOs) squares off with Ramil Antaran, Jayar Inson (18-3, 12 KOs) is up against veteran Jose Ocampo (20-13-1, 13 KOs), Lienard Sarcon (7-0, 3 KOs) locks horns with Mark Glen Antaran (4-2-3, 3 KOs), Ernesto Cagampang (3-1, 3 KOs) is fighting Vergel Deguma (9-7, 4 KOs), Sugary Montales (3-0) trades leathers with Michael Padayag (3-16-1) and Ariel Antimaro exchange blows with Jeffrey Diale. (EKA)