Top-ranked International Boxing Federation minimumweight Pedro Taduran of the Philippines showed a fine move in his public training in Osaka on July 24 in preparation for his challenge to champion Ginjiro Shigeoka for the latter’s title on July 28 in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan.

  The left-handed Taduran did rope-jumping and mitt- and heavy-bag hitting at KWORLD3 Boxing Gym in Osaka.

  This was his fourth visit to Japan as the 27-yearold Taduran has served as a sparring partner, twice for then World Boxing Organization minimumweight champion Ryuya Yamanaka and once for then for World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji of B.M.B. Boxing Gym, who announced recently he will give up the titles.

  Taduran’s trainer Carlos Penalosa said he hopes Taduran will overpower Shigeoka, also a southpaw, at short range because he has gotten his techniques level up in every aspect as he has engaged himself in hard training.

  Taduran captured the IBF minimumweight title in 2019 but lost it in his second title defense in 2021. He said he is determined to become the first man to beat the undefeated Shigeoka.

  The scheduled 12-rounder will be held at the prefecture’s Shiga Daihatsu Arena, the first world title fight in Shiga Prefecture,

  Taduran has a record of 16 wins, 12 by KO, against four losses and a draw. Shigeoka has 11 straight wins, including nine KOs, and one no contest.