Pedro Taduran arrives in America for training amidst Oscar Collazo fight negotiations

Pedro Taduran, one of only two reigning Filipino world boxing champions, has arrived in the United States to begin preparations for a potential unification fight in the minimumweight division.

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) titleholder landed stateside this week as his camp moves forward with training plans despite ongoing negotiations for his next bout.

Taduran is currently in discussions for a high-stakes unification showdown against Puerto Rican star Oscar Collazo, the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight champion. 

While the matchup has yet to be finalized, both camps continue talks as they work toward a deal that would put three major world titles on the line.

The proposed bout is tentatively targeted for March, with plans pointing to Puerto Rico as the likely venue, giving Collazo home-ring advantage.

Taduran, however, is wasting no time in getting ready, opting to begin his training camp early to ensure peak condition should the fight materialize.

The Filipino champion will hold camp in Las Vegas, a strategic location that provides access to elite training facilities and high-level sparring. His American representative, Sean Gibbons, is based in the city and oversees a well-equipped gym that will serve as Taduran’s training base during the buildup.

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Current IBF Minimumweight Champion Pedro Taduran has arrived in the United States to commence training in preparation for a potential unification bout against fellow world champion @Oscalito6 of Puerto Rico.#TaduranCollazo #UKC #Knuckleheads #MPPromotions@OlivieriLaw pic.twitter.com/5fQFyKI6KC

— OLE (@AJArietaPH) January 2, 2026

Gibbons has been in active communication with Golden Boy Promotions, the Oscar De La Hoya-owned outfit that promotes Collazo, to finalize Taduran’s inclusion as the Puerto Rican champion’s next opponent. 

Collazo, widely regarded as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters at the lower weights, is reportedly targeting a fight in the first quarter of the year. Even before the Christmas break, the southpaw had already resumed training, signaling his intent to remain active early in the 2026 boxing calendar.

Like Taduran, Collazo fights out of a left-handed stance and has made it clear that his long-term goal is to unify all four major world titles at 105 pounds. The Puerto Rican champion has also expressed plans to move up in weight later in the year after completing his unification campaign.

The minimumweight division also features another Filipino titleholder in Melvin Jerusalem, the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) champion. Collazo previously defeated Jerusalem nearly two years ago, though Jerusalem has since rebounded with strong performances, adding further intrigue to the division’s title landscape.

For Taduran, the move to the United States underscores his readiness to seize a defining opportunity in his career. 

Should negotiations be completed, the March bout could mark one of the biggest unification fights in Philippine boxing in recent years, with Taduran aiming to cement his place among the sport’s elite.

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