INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight titleholder Pedro General Taduran Jr. expects nothing but an aggressive challenge from Rene Mark Cuarto in their all-Filipino world championship showdown on Saturday at the Bula Gym in General Santos City.
“I know how determined he is to take my title away from me in his hometown, so I really prepared myself hard for this moment,” said Taduran, who tipped the scale at 104 lbs. during the formal weigh-in on Friday.
The fight will be staged in a bubble setup.
The 24-year-old Taduran (14-2-1 win-loss-draw record with 11 knockouts) arrived in General Santos City with his team 15 days ago to complete a 14-day quarantine at a local hotel. He found a way to train, spar and keep himself focused on his second title defense.
“I watched his previous bouts and I am fully ready now. If he wants to exchange punches, that will be good. If he runs, I will chase him and fight wisely,” Taduran said.
Taduran survived Mexico’s Daniel Valladares via technical draw in his opponent’s turf in his first title defense in February 2020.
Cuarto, on the other hand, unleashed a strong statement against Taduran, telling BusinessMirror that he will send Taduran home to Libon, Albay, without his belt.
“I’ve been in training for two months and I will do my very, very best to get the title from him,” said the 24-year-old Cuarto (18-2-2 win-loss-draw record with 11 knockouts). “Condition-wise, I am ready for this fight physically and mentally.”
Cuarto weighed in at 105 lbs.