An all-Filipino strawweight title fight is set to headline the “Thrilla in Manila II: Countdown” card.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the IBF will recognize the Pedro Taduran-Christian Balunan 105lbs title fight as a mandatory defense. The sanctioning body approved a request submitted by Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions on behalf of Taduran for the fighters’ October 26 headliner in Manila, Philippines.
A ruling obtained by BoxingScene noted that – with the approved mandatory – both Taduran and Balunan are required to submit to anti-doping testing regulations in accordance with IBF rules.
Their bout will take place at San Andres Sports Complex. The venue is roughly 30 minutes from the famed Araneta Coliseum that housed the original “Thrilla in Manila,” the epic trilogy clash between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, which took place 50 years ago this past Wednesday.
Taduran, 18-4-1 (13 KOs), will attempt the second defense of his second IBF 105lbs title reign. He regained his old belt with a ninth-round stoppage of Ginjiro Shigeoka last July 28 in Otsu, Japan.
The two met again this past May 24 in Osaka, Japan, with Taduran once again emerging victorious – this time via split decision. Their sensational battle came at a scary cost, as Shigeoka remains hospitalized from head injuries he sustained and which subsequently required immediate brain surgery.
As for Taduran, the clash with Balunan, 12-0 (7 KOs), marks his first on home soil since a December 2023 unanimous decision win over countryman Jake Amparo in Tagbilaran City. The victory was part of a current four-fight win streak since his pair of defeats to Rene Mark Cuarto in 2021 and 2022, the first of which ended his previous IBF title reign.
Balunan has not fought since a technical decision win over Robert Paradero last December 21 in Tagbilaran City.
The lengthy ring absence is not without good cause, however. Balunan’s team previously sought a title eliminator for this very belt, as he was ordered to face countryman and former WBO titlist Vic Saludar. The matter came and went without a deal in place, though the ultimate decision was to just recognize Balunan as the de facto mandatory challenger.
Taduran-Balunan will headline a 12-fight show honoring the 50th anniversary of Ali-Frazier III.
