Minimumweight often goes underappreciated — the fighters rarely receive the spotlight they deserve. And that certainly applies to Taduran and Shigeoka. In the summer of 2024, the two delivered a spectacular all-action war. Fierce exchanges, pinpoint power shots, and moments where both men teetered on the brink of defeat.

It’s highly unlikely that the rematch will play out any differently.

25 (Shigeoka) and 28 (Taduran) — prime years for explosive fights, with both fighters still fresh and far from worn out. Their experience levels are quite similar. Both are former world champions, and both have now tasted defeat — Shigeoka entered their first bout as an undefeated fighter.

Let’s look at the numbers from their first meeting — they tell the story on their own. Just the opening rounds already showcase the epic nature of the fight.

Round 1: Shigeoka — 52 thrown, Taduran — 66. Round 2: Shigeoka — 75, Taduran — 91. Round 3: Shigeoka — 93, Taduran — 111.

And it continued that way until the final bell. Not a single round saw either fighter throw fewer than 50 punches. This was relentless, high-octane output from both men.

Both fighters took time off after that battle — understandably so. Shigeoka needed recovery after the knockout. While he wasn’t counted out, he absorbed a massive number of shots.

Taduran also took punishment — and waited for his Japanese rival to be ready for a rematch.

On paper, the advantage belongs to the Japanese fighter — nearly 82% of his wins have come by stoppage, compared to Taduran’s 77%. But it was Shigeoka who suffered a stoppage loss in their previous clash.

It’s worth noting that the difference in finishing rate is marginal. In this fight, power alone won’t be enough — timing, accuracy, and work rate will all matter just as much. Last time, Taduran had the edge in all three.

There’s little to criticize on either side. Taduran has four career defeats — but has never been knocked out. Shigeoka was stopped in the last bout, but it was a referee's decision, not a clean knockout.

That fight rocked both men — thanks in large part to the volume of punches traded. A knockout here can’t be ruled out entirely, but a decision is far more likely, and shouldn’t surprise anyone.

This will be only Taduran’s second fight in Japan. The first? Also against Shigeoka — and it didn’t go the host’s way. Still, home turf is always an advantage, however subtle.

Expect more of what we saw last time: constant exchanges and an all-out war. It’s unlikely either man will make significant changes, though a smarter, more tactical approach might serve them both well.

Shigeoka clearly wants to join the growing list of Japanese champions in the lighter divisions and reclaim the title. He’s certainly capable of doing that — especially with home support.

But the question remains: can he withstand the relentless pressure and volume Taduran brings?