PEDRO TADURAN defends his International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight belt for the second time against a tough compatriot Rene Mark Cuarto in an MP Promotions card on February 27 at the Lagao Gym in General Santos City.
The 24-year-old Taduran kept his belt in his first title defense in Mexico February last year via a fourth-round technical draw against Daniel Valladares.
“I’m doing great in my conditioning and I just resumed my sparring last Monday,” the Libon [Albay] pride Taduran told BusinessMirror.
Despite the long lull atop the ring because of the pandemic, Taduran said he managed to maintain his boxing smarts.
“It’s still the same speed and strength. I am focusing now on boosting my stamina and some air,” he said.
Taduran sports a 14-2-1 win-loss-draw record with 11 knockouts, while Cuarto, 24, holds an 18-2-2 record with 11 knockouts.
Taduran was locked down in Libon when strict quarantines were enforced last March, but immediately motored to the Art Mones Gym in La Union when travel restrictions were eased.
Cuarto’s trainer Nonoy Neri, meanwhile, said they have been training and sparring with Genisis Libranza since last year.
“We started training last October so we’re ready for the fight,” Neri said.