MANILA — Filipino boxing champion Pedro Taduran overcame a bloody facial cut and a determined challenge from previously unbeaten Spaniard Brandon Moreno to retain his International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight world title via unanimous decision on Sunday at the Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The hard-fought victory gave the pride of Libon, Albay his fourth consecutive successful title defense, extending his reign atop the 105-pound division while handing Moreno the first defeat of his professional career.
Two judges scored the 12-round championship bout 115-113 in favor of Taduran, while the third awarded the Filipino southpaw a commanding 120-108 shutout.
Taduran improved his professional record to 21 wins, four losses and one draw, while Moreno dropped to 16-1.
Despite facing a taller opponent with a longer reach, Taduran dictated the tempo from the opening bell, relentlessly pressing forward behind a high guard and unleashing punishing combinations to the head and body.
Moreno attempted to exploit his height and reach advantage through counterpunches and movement, but the Filipino champion repeatedly closed the distance, forcing exchanges and connecting with sharp straight left hands and hooks.
The fight took a dramatic turn in the middle rounds when Taduran sustained a cut above his left eyebrow, apparently from an accidental clash of heads.
Blood streamed from the wound, threatening to complicate his title defense, but the Filipino refused to abandon his aggressive approach.
Instead, Taduran intensified his assault, repeatedly trapping Moreno along the ropes and in the corners while delivering damaging combinations.
A powerful overhand right followed by a straight left visibly troubled the Spanish challenger, who struggled to contain the champion’s relentless offensive pressure.
Taduran’s sustained body attack gradually took its toll on Moreno, whose movements and counterpunching became less effective as the fight entered the championship rounds.
With Moreno showing signs of fatigue, the Filipino maintained his aggression in the closing rounds, refusing to give the challenger an opportunity to seize control.
Taduran ultimately survived both the injury and Moreno’s resistance to secure another successful defense of his world championship and preserve his standing among the Philippines’ reigning boxing champions.
For Moreno, the defeat ended his unbeaten run and marked his first setback in 17 professional fights./PN
