Filipino Boxing Champ’s Title Fight Gets New Hope
Pedro Taduran, the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion, had his world title defense against Chinese knockout artist Zhu Dianxing abruptly canceled just weeks before the scheduled bout in Jeju, Korea.
The blow was a major disappointment for the Filipino champion, leaving him without a fight and facing uncertainty about his title reign. However, hope is on the horizon with the possibility of Taduran defending his crown on home soil, courtesy of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao’s promotional arm, Blow-By-Blow.
A Champion’s Perseverance
Taduran’s fight against Zhu was originally slated for November 23rd. Unfortunately, sponsorship woes plagued the Vietnam-based promotional outfit organizing the event, forcing a last-minute cancellation that left Taduran and fans disillusioned.
“Holding Taduran’s IBF title defense is tops on the agenda of Blow-By-Blow,” revealed Len Tomas, a Blow-By-Blow executive. He went on to explain that Pacquiao had promised to personally discuss the matter with top officials when he returned from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
A New Champion in the Ring
This potential matchup would mark a significant moment, not just for Taduran, but for Philippine boxing as a whole. Blow-By-Blow, spearheaded by one of Pacquiao’s most trusted associates, Marife Barrera, is committed to bringing world-class boxing back to the Philippines.
Barrera has a proven track record, having successfully overseen Melvin Jerusalem’s mandatory defense of the World Boxing Council minimumweight championships earlier this year—the only world title fight held in the country in 2023.
Hope for the Future of Filipino Boxing
The news of Taduran’s possible title defense in the Philippines brought a ray of hope to the fighter. “His eyes lit up when told about the prospects of defending his title at home with Blow-By-Blow leading the way,” a source close to Taduran revealed.
The Bicol-born boxer even attended Blow-By-Blow’s most recent show in Bago Bantay, Quezon City, further fueling speculation about the potential fight.
Taduran and fellow Filipino world champion, Melvin Jerusalem, represent the pinnacle of Filipino boxing. They are not only talented fighters but also share close ties with American dealmaker Sean Gibbon, who runs the Pacquiao-owned MP Promotions.
Taduran is managed by siblings Marty and Cucuy Elorde, while Jerusalem is represented by JC Mananquil and his Japanese partners from Nagoya.
With the support of Pacquiao and Blow-By-Blow, Taduran may finally get his chance to defend his title in front of his home crowd in the first quarter of 2025. It would be a momentous occasion, showcasing Filipino boxing talent on a grand stage and solidifying the country’s standing in the international boxing scene.
What is Blow-By-Blow’s plan for bringing Pedro Taduran’s title defense to the Philippines?
## Hope for Home Turf: An Interview with Len Tomasz
**Interviewer:** Len, thank you for joining us today. Pedro Taduran’s title defense was suddenly cancelled just weeks before the fight. Can you tell us what happened and how Blow-By-Blow is stepping in to help?
**Len Tomas:** It’s unfortunate what happened with the original event in Jeju. Sponsorship issues forced the organizers to pull the plug on the fight, leaving Taduran and everyone involved, including myself and the fans, deeply disappointed. [[1](https://tribune.net.ph/2024/08/01/jerusalem-battles-mexican-in-manila-title-defense)
**Interviewer:** So, what’s the plan now?
**Len Tomas:** I can tell you that bringing Taduran’s title defense to the Philippines is a top priority for Blow-By-Blow. Manny Pacquiao himself has been personally involved, promising to discuss this matter with top officials once he returns from Dubai. We’re committed to giving Taduran the platform he deserves to defend his title on home soil.
**Interviewer:** What does this mean for Taduran and Filipino boxing fans?
**Len Tomas:** Well, it’s a ray of hope. This situation was a major setback, but Blow-By-Blow is dedicated to ensuring Taduran’s championship status remains intact. Having his title defense happen in the Philippines would be a huge boost for him and an exciting event for all Filipino boxing fans.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your time, Len. We’ll be eagerly awaiting updates on this developing story.