Pedro Taduran used his experience and skill to outclass the previously undefeated Christian Balunan on Sunday to retain his IBF strawweight title via unanimous decision at the San Andres Sports Complex in Malae, Philippines.
The scores were 118-110 on two cards and 117-111 on the third, all for the 28-year-old Taduran, 19-4-1 (13 KOs), who was defending his title for the second time since winning it in 2024 in Japan.
The 5’4” Taduran nullified his opponent’s two-inch height advantage with constant upper-body movement, sneaking in his southpaw left hand whenever Balunan looked to establish his offense. Balunan, 12-1 (7 KOs), of Consolacion, Cebu, Philippines, fought through a nasty cut on his right eyebrow – one opened by an accidental headbutt in the fourth round – but rarely relented in his first significant fight as he blinked away the blood to fire in looping right hands.
There were no knockdowns, though Balunan appeared to have been dropped by a left hand, but his trip to the canvas was ruled a slip. The 25 year old responded to that sequence with some of his best work, landing a left hook to the body, followed by a series of body punches which slowed Taduran’s attack momentarily.
Taduran told BoxingScene that, while the comparatively inexperienced Balunan didn't hurt him, he commended his bravery and durability.
"I was also tired because we've reached twelve rounds, because he wants to win and he's strong," said Taduran.
Taduran, of Libon, Albay, Philippines, reiterated to BoxingScene that he wants to face Oscar Collazo, the WBO and WBA titleholder Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico, next.
He is in his second reign as IBF 108lbs champion, having stopped Ginjiro Shigeoka in nine rounds in July 2024 to recapture the belt, and having defended it in May via a split decision in their rematch. Balunan, the IBF’s highest-ranked challenger at three, was fighting in just his first fight scheduled for 12 rounds.
Miel Fajardo, 13-3-2 (11 KOs), had by then defeated Esneth Domingo, 22-4 (14 KOs), in a 10-round battle of Filipino flyweights. The scores were 98-91, 96-93 and 96-93, all to Fajardo, of San Francisco, who secured the victory with a 10th-round knockdown. The win is the second straight for Fajardo, of Agusan del Sur, Philippines, following consecutive decision loses in Japan and Tanzania in 2024. The 27-year-old Domingo, of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines, lost for the second time in three fights.
The fight between the Hong Kong bantamweight Rex Tso, 23-0 (14 KOs), and India's Sagar Chouhan, 7-0 (2 KOs), ended as a no contest due to an accidental headbutt in the fourth round.
The card, promoted by MP Promotions, was one of two scheduled for in the Philippines to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila. The second card will take place on Wednesday in Quezon City where Melvin Jerusalem – the only other champion in the Philippines – defends his WBC strawweight title against South Africa's Siyakholwa Kuse at Araneta Coliseum.
Taduran says he isn't sure he'll be in attendance for that fight, as it falls on his birthday. His focus now is on relaxing after a long training camp, he ays.
"I'm happy now because our hard work in training has paid off. And for my family and my team," said Taduran.
