Filipino boxer Pedro Taduran retained his IBF mini-flyweight title after defeating Ginjiro Shigeoka via split decision

Reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) mini-flyweight champion Pedro Taduran has established himself as one of the best boxers to come from the Philippines—and one who has yet to reach his peak.

Taduran once again showed why he is one of the top fighters in his weight category worldwide, defeating Japanese star Ginjiro Shigeoka in their rematch via split decision on Saturday, May 24, at the Intex Osaka in Japan.

This victory repeated the result of their title bout at the Shiga Daihatsu Arena in Otsu, Japan, on July 28, 2024, where Taduran stopped Shigeoka in the ninth round. Notably, Shigeoka entered the rematch with a revised game plan, but the Filipino star proved too much, relentlessly pressuring his Japanese opponent.

🚨TADURAN DEFENDS TITLE

Pedro Taduran takes a 118-110, 115-113, 113-115 Split Decision over Ginjiro Shigeoka to successfully defend the IBF Minimumweight Title in Osaka pic.twitter.com/batKr72hUm

— Tokkerū (@ATokkers5) May 24, 2025

Shigeoka was peppered with punches throughout the fight and, after absorbing significant damage, had to be stretchered out of the ring following the bout. The judges’ scorecards read 115-113, 113-115, and 118-110, awarding Taduran a split decision victory. Taduran later shared that he had no issues with the result.

“That’s fine with me. They said it shouldn’t have been a split decision, but I have no problem with that. It was a tougher fight than the first. He was moving more this time, and I had a hard time landing my combinations. I couldn’t move early on—I don’t know why. But as the fight went on, I became more comfortable,” Taduran said.

Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions president and Taduran’s agent, Sean Gibbons, praised the 28-year-old for his grit and resilience, calling the win a massive triumph for Philippine boxing.

“They tried to rob him, but Pedro was not to be denied. What a win for the Philippines, what a win for Pedro,” Gibbons said.

Taduran has now improved his record to 18 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw (13 KOs), and according to Gibbons, he may now be in line to face Puerto Rico’s WBA and WBO mini-flyweight champion Oscar Collazo for a unification bout in the near future.

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