Pedro Taduran prepared to fight either Oscar Collazo, Melvin Jerusalem for unification bout

Fresh off his dominant International Boxing Federation (IBF)  title defense at the Thrilla in Manila II Countdown, Filipino boxer Pedro Taduran is focused on fighting for a title unification bout no matter what.

Taduran is eyeing a high-profile unification bout against reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA) Minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo, but has also expressed his desire to fight fellow Filipino and World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Melvin Jerusalem.

“If I won’t get the opportunity to face Collazo, I will fight Melvin Jerusalem,” Taduran said after a successful defense against Christian Balunan on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Collazo has recently expressed his interest in unifying all belts in 2026 after calling out Taduran and Jerusalem following his stoppage win over Filipino Jayson Vayson.

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Pedro Taduran used his experience and skill to outclass Christian Balunan on Sunday to retain his IBF strawweight title via unanimous decision in the Philippines. Full story ⬇️https://t.co/XfRy3olkrD

— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) October 27, 2025

Gibbons is focused on linking up with Collazo’s promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, for a fight. However, if both parties fail to reach an agreement, the American has other options for Taduran, including a New Year’s Eve fight.

“We’ll reach out to (Collazo’s promoter) Golden Boy and do a fight with Pedro because he deserves it. Pedro’s ready,” said Gibbons.“We gotta concentrate on that (unification fight with Collazo).

“If not, then we’ll get Pedro to the US and fight there. We might even put him in a show for January 31st,” he added.

Jerusalem is set to face South Africa’s Siyakholwa Kuse for the WBC crown at Thrilla in Manila II at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

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