Cuarto mum on Taduran rematch
RENE Mark Cuarto is the new International Boxing Federation minimumweight champion.
In an all-Filipino clash, Cuarto beat Pedro Taduran via unanimous decision, dethroning the latter at the Bula Gym in Gen. Santos City on Saturday.
All three judges came up with identical 115-113 scorecards in favor of Cuarto.
With the victory, the Zamboanga del Norte native improved his 19-2-2 win-loss-draw record with 11 knockouts.
Taduran was trying to push the pace all throughout, but Cuarto would have none of it, keeping his defense intact and looking for golden opportunities to strike.
Then, Cuarto seized his moment in the close bout when he shook the pride of Libon, Albay with a solid left hook in the fifth round.
Losing to a fellow 24-year-old, Taduran dropped to a 14-3-1 winloss-draw record with 11 KOs. Prior to this match, Taduran last fought in February 2020 when he won over Daniel Valladres via majority draw.
The Taduran-Cuarto bout was the second all-Filipino title clash in a week’s time after Vic Saludar earned a split decision win over Robert Paradero to snare the World Boxing Association minimumweight title in Laguna on February 20.
When asked about a possible rematch, Cuarto said during a “PowCast”YouTube interview, “Sina coach Nonoy Neri at Sen. Manny Pacquiao na ang bahala sa next fight ko. Malaki ang pasasalamat ko, sobrang saya ko dahil nagbunga rin ‘yung pagsisikap namin (Coach Nonoy Neri and Sen. Manny Pacquiao will handle my next fight. I am very thankful and happy that all of our efforts have come to fruition).”