By Carlos Costa

MANILA, Philippines   —   Relentless Pedro Taduran overcame an early knock down to ruthlessly overpower fellow Filipino warrior Samuel Salva, sending him out of the venue in a stretcher as the previously unbeaten Salva was unable to come out of his red cornerfor the sound of the fifh round.

With the thrilling televised win, Pedro Taduran becomes the new IBF Minimumweight World Champio today Saturday, September 7, at the Philippine Navy Base in Metro Manila, Philippines.

Salva started good, holding his ground and counter attacking efficiently, edging the first two frames.

But in round three, Taduran’s pressure began to taken control of the actions, landing repeatedly over a reteraving Salva unable to reply in kind.

Violent attacks intensified even further during the fourth stanza in which Salva was deducted a point for by referee Danrex Tapdasan for intentionally headbutting Taduran, but to no avail because Pedro Taduran kept on coming forward mercilessly, punishing Salva wherever he ran to.

Salva barely ended that fourth round on his feet.   But a huge damage was done on him.   

Seemingly without of air, exhusted and beaten up, Salva was unable to proceed the uneven war, staying down in his red cornerseat, looking groggie.

For precautionary reasons, the brave Samuel Salva was put on an oxigen mask and wheeled out of the venue in a stretcher, and on to a nearby ER.

Stunning win for the newly crowned IBF minimumweight world champion, who claims gold in his second shot at the world title.

Last year Pedro Taduran fought Thailand’s WBC 105 pound king Wanheng Menayothin, losing a landslide 12-rounder unanimous desicion in the Kingdom of Thailand, a fight I attended.  Menayothin (53-0)  was by far better man in that Sunny and hot Wednesday afternoon.

This time, Pedro Taduran is the big winner.

The clash is being aired on delayed telecast in the UK on Box Nation.

Photo by Carlos Costa

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter based in the Philippines.    Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.comand whatsapp +639184538152.