Photo Release

Taduran and Casimero visit Sen. Pacquiao: Senator Manny Pacquiao warmly receives newly-crowned IBF minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran (right), interim WBO bantamweight titlist John Riel Casimero and MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons during a courtesy call on Monday at the Philippine Senate.

Taduran stopped Samuel Salva in four rounds to win the vacant IBF 105-lb throne while Casimero (left) halted Cesar Ramirez of Mexico last month to keep the interim WBO 118-lb championship.

Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division champion, called on other boxers and national athletes to rally behind the flag in their quest for honors. “Taduran and Casimero embody the Filipino fighting spirit,” said Pacquiao, whose MP Promotions represents the country’s leading fighters. (Photo by Wendell Alinea/OSMP)