Down the line, Pedro Taduran and Melvin Jerusalem could find themselves on opposite corners of a ring, slugging it out in a unification clash.

For now, though, both are putting aside personal ambitions for the country’s greater good.

Taduran, who is set to put his International Boxing Federation minimumweight crown on the line against Ginjiro Shigeoka this Saturday in Osaka, Japan, revealed to the Inquirer that Jerusalem had one simple message for him.

“He told me not to lose the belt, because that would mean the Philippines will be having one less world champion,” said Taduran, the pride of Albay, of his compatriot currently holding the World Boxing Council’s version of the 105-pound belt.

“We both want to keep holding on to these belts for as long as we can—especially now that we’re the only two champions (representing the country),” he added.

Early end

The Philippines is no longer enjoying the same abundance of world champions, which puts a certain tinge of burden on both titlists’ respective reigns. The mission has shifted from personal to patriotic.

But not that Taduran minds. He has come a long way, after all.

“I’ve realized my dream. It took me eight years to be a champion. A lot has changed since,” the 17-4-1 southpaw said.

“Not really,” he added when asked about feeling some pressure in meeting the moment.

Taduran expects that Shigeoka will try to go for points, which means he will have to deliver a decisive performance.

He has put an end to the fight early, and his coach Carl Peñalosa Jr. is trying to make sure he’ll be able to do just that.

“I know my opponent is just as capable,” Taduran said of the former champion whom he dethroned in Shiga, also in Japan, in July last year.