Filipino star Pedro Taduran bounces back to retain IBF belt, eyes Oscar Collazo showdown

Pedro Taduran, the Philippines’ reigning IBF minimumweight champion, continues to cement his reputation as one of the country’s premier pugilists, delivering performances that captivate boxing fans both at home and abroad.

Taduran once again showcased his skill, heart, and tactical intelligence on the international stage, successfully defending his crown against Mexico’s Gustavo Perez Alvarez at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California. The bout ended in the seventh round when Taduran’s precise punching and relentless pressure forced the referee to stop the fight, securing another emphatic victory for the Filipino champion.

The fight began with Alvarez taking the early initiative, using his speed and combination punching to pressure Taduran in the first two rounds. Alvarez’s sharp one-two combos and aggressive movement seemed to put Taduran on the defensive, and his trainer Carl Penalosa admitted that if his fighter did not adjust, the bout could have ended unfavorably.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

“I told myself that if the Mexican gets to do what he did in the first two rounds, Pedro would lose the title,” Penalosa said in a post-fight interview, highlighting the tense early moments that tested Taduran’s composure.

But the Filipino champion remained calm and methodical. By the third round, Taduran had begun turning the tide, landing sharp straight punches and powerful hooks that rocked Alvarez. His counterattacks culminated in four knockdowns, demonstrating his accuracy, timing, and ability to capitalize on his opponent’s mistakes. Taduran’s strategic shift and power ultimately led to a stoppage in the seventh round, allowing him to retain his IBF minimumweight crown with authority.

Pedro Taduran stops Smiley Perez in Round 7.
Dropped him FOUR times. Perez started sharp, but Taduran’s power was too much.

Time to see Taduran vs Oscar Collazo.#TaduranPerez #Boxing pic.twitter.com/gx3ZNT1PgI

— BoxingGuru (@B0xingGuru) April 4, 2026

“I felt that I could put him down when I hurt him with a body blow in the third. I always knew that I would catch him sooner or later,” Taduran said after the fight, reflecting on his patient and calculated approach inside the ring.

The victory marked a significant milestone in Taduran’s career. The Libon, Albay native improved his professional record to 20-4-1, with 14 wins coming by knockout, while handing Alvarez only his second defeat in 18 professional bouts. The win not only solidifies Taduran’s position atop the IBF minimumweight division but also demonstrates his continued evolution as a world-class fighter capable of handling pressure and adversity.

After the fight, Taduran indicated he would take a short break of two to three weeks to celebrate his victory and recover before resuming his training regimen. “After that, I will be doing some running again. Not exactly the start of training camp, but I will make sure that I do not gain too much weight,” he explained, signaling his focus on maintaining peak conditioning for future fights.

Looking ahead, Taduran’s team is already planning for high-stakes matchups. Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao MP Promotions, who promotes Taduran, is targeting a unification bout against Puerto Rico’s Oscar Collazo. Collazo currently holds the WBO and WBA minimumweight titles, and Taduran has publicly called for a clash to determine the undisputed king of the division.

“Let’s go. Let’s unify the titles so we can determine who is the best in the division,” Taduran declared, showing his ambition and confidence as he looks to elevate his name further on the global stage.

With his combination of technical skill, knockout power, and resilience, Pedro Taduran continues to build a legacy as one of the Philippines’ finest boxing talents, thrilling fans while steadily positioning himself for bigger fights and potential unification glory.

👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and join the community of passionate sports fans.