OSAKA, Japan - Ginjiro Shigeoka is confident heading into his rematch with Pedro Taduran, despite the scary scenes after their first encounter last July.
Shigeoka was a heavy favorite heading into the contest but Taduran inflicted a beating over nine rounds to the Japanese fighter that eventually forced the referee Steve Willis to intervene. Shigeoka was visibly hurt over the course of the contest and did not look himself. After the fight, Shigeoka collapsed in the ring and was carried out of the arena, with many fearing the worst.
It was just a scare, however, and Shigeoka will step into an immediate rematch with Taduran this Saturday in Osaka, Japan. The frightening experience for many watching the first fight is not something that concerns Shigeoka.
“There's really no worries,” Shigeoka told BoxingScene with the help of a translator. “I’m really just looking forward to it.
“I want to have a fun fight. Since fighting [Taduran] last time I’ve been able to see his strengths and his weaknesses, and adjusted my style accordingly. The last time I was looking for the knockout a little too hard, this time I’m going to adjust my style and fight accordingly for a win.”
There was talks of then-champion Shigeoka facing Oscar Collazo in a unification before he signed to face Taduran.
“I was thinking too much about becoming a champion, so maybe I looked a bit too far ahead,” Shigeoka admitted.