Pedro Taduran hit the strawweight mark at Thursday’s weigh-in to lock in Friday’s challenge from Gustavo Perez Alvarez at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.
Taduran, 19-4-1 (13 KOs), weighed in at 104.6lbs to comfortably slip in under the 105lbs limit, while Alvarez, 16-1 (5 KOs), checked in at 104.2lbs.
Taduran will be making his third defense of the IBF title after most recently taking a unanimous decision over Christian Balunan last October. A southpaw from Libon, Albay, Philippines, Taduran captured the belt from Ginjiro Shigeoka with a ninth-round stoppage in July 2024, then took a split decision in their rematch last May.
“I am ready to prove to the world why I am the best minimumweight on the planet,” Taduran said. “I have worked extremely hard for this fight and I am going to put on a performance that makes everyone proud. Gustavo is a strong challenger, but when we step inside that ring tomorrow night in Temecula, the IBF belt stays right here with me.”
Taduran and Alvarez will headline a Manny Pacquiao Promotions (MPP) card that will be broadcast on ESPN Knockout and ESPN Deportes.
Alvarez, from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, has won eight straight fights since being retired after six rounds by Anthony Olascuaga in 2022 – his only career defeat. Alvarez most recently stopped Kevin Vivas in four rounds last July.
“I have dedicated everything to this moment,” Alvarez said. “Taduran is a great champion and I respect him, but I am coming to Temecula ready to make history. I have worked my whole career for a shot at a world title and I am not leaving California without that IBF belt. Tomorrow night is my night.”
The co-main event will see Jimuel Pacquiao Jnr, 0-0-1, take another swing at his first professional win – despite his weighing in above the lightweight limit at 136.2lbs. Jimuel, the son of promoter and Hall of Fame eight-division champion Manny Pacquaio, will take on Darrick Gates, 0-1, in a scheduled four-round bout.
Full weigh-in results are as follows:
12 rounds – Minimumweights (IBF title)
Pedro Taduran (104.6lbs) vs Gustavo Perez Alvarez (104.2lbs)
Four rounds – Lightweights
Jimuel Pacquiao Jnr (136.2) vs Darrick Gates (133.8)
10 rounds – Middleweights
Lazaro Lorenzana (164.6) vs Esneiker Correa (159.0)
Four rounds – Featherweights
Joseph Subia (125.8) vs Francisco Casillas (125.8)
Six rounds – Lightweights
Paolo Barredo (135) vs Roberto Almazan Monreal (135.0)
Four rounds – Junior featherweights
Antonio Villegas (120.6) vs Alexander Nakamura (120)
Four rounds – Lightweights
Malikah Salazar (138.2) vs Stephen Barbee (135.0)
