JAPANESE reports have suggested that Ginjiro Shigeoka, a former minimumweight world champion, has remained in hospital following his second defeat to Pedro Taduran.
The pair collided in Osaka, Japan, last Saturday, with Taduran, 18-4-1 (13 KOs), edging a split decision to retain his IBF strap on the undercard of Angelo Leo vs Tomoki Kameda.
But shortly the result was revealed, attention was immediately drawn to Shigeoka, 11-2 (9 KOs), who, while rubbing his temples and closing his eyes, appeared to be in a bad way.
The 25-year-old – seemingly still conscious – then left the arena on a stretcher, with further details regarding his condition remaining nebulous at this stage.
It was reported by Yahoo Japan earlier today, however, that Japan Boxing Commission Secretary General Yasukawa Tsuyoshi plans to confirm the boxer’s condition tomorrow.
In the meantime, it seems that Shigeoka has remained in a local hospital while, according to Yahoo Japan, the JBC plans to contact his family tomorrow afternoon.
The slick southpaw had given a titanic effort in his rematch with Taduran, utilising his fluid movement and sharp reflexes to evade much of the Filipino’s potent attacks.
Whenever the 28-year-old did connect, though, it was clear that each shot – even without landing cleanly – was beginning to have an effect on Shigeoka.
The Japanese technician had, after all, suffered a ninth-round stoppage defeat at the hands of his less dynamic, but evidently more spiteful, opponent last July.
But as we now await an update on the severity of his condition, one can only hope to see Shigeoka make a full recovery, sooner rather than later.
