Pedro Taduran vs. Christian Balunan
| Date | October 26, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | San Andres Sports Complex, Manila, Philippines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title(s) on the line | International Boxing Federation (IBF) mini-flyweight title. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tale of the tape | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Result | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taduran wins via unanimous decision (117–111 and 118–110 twice) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pedro Taduran vs. Christian Balunan, billed as Thrilla in Manila II Countdown was a kickoff boxing event for the 50th Year Anniversary of the historic Thrilla in Manila between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The event is headlined between mini-flyweight champion Pedro Taduran and undefeated challenger Christian Balunan for the IBF mini-flyweight championship of the world on October 26, 2025.[1]
Background
On early September 2025, early hints and buildups were made between reigning IBF mini-flyweight champion Pedro Taduran and undefeated contender Christian Balunan, to serve as a prelude event for the Thrilla in Manila II, to be held on October 26, 2025, three days before the Thrilla in Manila II event, it was originally reported to be in a soon-to-be-announced Quezon City venue, where the Thrilla in Manila II will also be taking place.[2]
On September 15, 2025, Viva Promotions officially announced the event on their Facebook page, it will take place on 26 October 2025, like said, but will instead take place in San Andres Sports Complex, Malate, Manila City, opposing the originally speculated Quezon City, the event will also be presented by MP Promotions, Limitless, Knuckleheads Pro Boxing Fraternity, and Elorde's Ultimate Knockout Challenge (UKC). The undercard includes previously-returning Rex Tso and former OPBF champion Miel Fajardo in an IBF Pan Pacific-titled bouts separately, also on the undercards are Filipino prospects, notably AJ Paciones and Lienard Sarcon.[3][4][5][6][7]
Press Conference
The final weigh-in and press conference was held on Saturday October 25, 2025, at the Orchid Garden Suites in Malate, Manila and it will be broadcast live on Elorde TV on a YouTube channel. Both IBF mini-flyweight titleholder Taduran and his undefeated opponent Balunan came in under the 105lbs limit for their all-Filipino world title fight. Taduran and Balunan both came in at 104.3lbs for their 12-round fight, which will take place at San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, Philippines. The fight is the second title defense for the 28-year-old Taduran, who is in his second title reign after defeating Ginjiro Shigeoka twice in Japan. In the co-featured bout, Hong Kong boxer Rex "The Wonder Kid" Tso, will face India's undefeated boxer Sagar Chouhan. Tso weighed in at 117.7lbs for the ten-round bout, while Sagar was 118.4lbs.[8]
"Sanay naman ako lumaban ng matangkad na 'tulad ni Balunan, maganda ang game plan namin ni coach Carl Peñalosa." ("I am used to fight tall guys like Balunan, we have great gameplan together with my coach Carl Peñalosa.") Said Taduran, confident that fans will witness an impressive performance. On the other hand, Balunan stated, "Sigurado ako, 100 percent na mananalo ako." (I am 100% sure, I will win.) Balunan said with conviction.[9]
Fight summary
In front of a crowd at San Andres Sport Complex, Pedro Taduran dominated Christian Balunan in their 12-round match, winning via unanimous decision to retain his IBF minimumweight title. The judges' scores were 118–110, 118–110, and 117–111, all in favor of Taduran. During the fight, Balunan suffered injuries and was visibly bloodied, especially after an accidental headbutt in the fourth round opened a cut on his face. Taduran's superior performance and ring generalship allowed him to dictate the pace and land significant blows, leading to his victory.
This win improved Taduran's record to 19–4–1, while Balunan suffered his first professional loss, dropping his record to 12–1.
CompuBox stats
| Total | Taduran | Balunan |
|---|---|---|
| Thrown | 953 | 404 |
| Landed | 160 | 73 |
| Con. % | 17% | 18% |
Aftermath
Pedrosa Taduran is now focused on a unification fight after successfully defending his International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimum weight title against fellow Filipino Christian Balunan via lopsided unanimous decision at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
"I want a unification fight," “I’m looking forward to facing Collazo,". "I will prepare hard for that unification, it’s going to be difficult, but it will be a dream to unify the belts." -Taduran stated
“Pedro’s performance is proof that he’s really longing for it," Gibbons said. "He really wants it, and he deserves the unification."[10]
Fight card
Confirmed bouts:
| Weight Class | vs. | Method | Round | Time | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini-flyweight | Pedro Taduran (c) | def. | Christian Balunan | UD | 12 | 3:00 | Note 1 |
| Flyweight | Miel Fajardo | def. | Esneth Domingo | UD | 10 | 3:00 | Note 2 |
| Featherweight | Lienard Sarcon | def. | Junibert Bantay | TKO | 6/10 | 1:23 | |
| Bantamweight | Rex Tso | draw | Sagar Chouhan | TD | 2 (10) | 2:49 | Note 3 Note 4 |
| Flyweight | Arvin Jhon Paciones | def. | Jeraldine Ocrarit | KO | 2/8 | 2:25 | |
| Light-flyweight | Jhonel Lastimosa | draw | Anthony Galan | MD | 6 | 3:00 | |
| Mini-flyweight | Carlo Diaz VII | def. | Joperson Trazo | UD | 10 | 3:00 | |
| Mini-flyweight | Zyvyr John Medecilo | def. | Richard Garde | SD | 8 | 3:00 | |
| Bantamweight | Argelou Samson | def. | Noli James Maquilan | TKO | 8/8 | 0:44 | |
| Super flyweight | Claire Villarosa | def. | John Rey Labajo | KO | 2/8 | 2:30 | Note 5 |
| Bantamweight | Gretel De Paz | def. | Charimae Salvador | UD | 8 | 3:00 | Note 6 |
| Light-flyweight | Jerimy Balino | def. | Eljan Balagtas | UD | 4 | 3:00 | |
| Mini-flyweight | Jian Denver Mananquil | def. | Mike Gerente | MD | 4 | 3:00 |
^Note 1 For IBF mini-flyweight title
^Note 2 For vacant IBF Pan Pacific flyweight title
^Note 3 For vacant IBF Pan Pacific bantamweight title
^Note 4 Fight stopped after Chouhan was unable to continue due to a severe cut
^Note 5 For vacant GAB Youth super flyweight title
^Note 6 For vacant GAB female bantamweight title
Event personnels
Broadcast team
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Floor Director | John Paul Aguilar Concepcion |
| TV Director | Freddy Lorenzo Picardal |
| Commentator | Dennis Principe |
| Noel Zarate | |
| Ring announcer | Mark Anthony Lontayao |
| Jaime Villanera | |
| Official Photographer | Wendell Alinea |
| Jay Otamias | |
| Medical Team | Dr. Clark Joel Fernandez |
| Source: | |
Jay Otamias
Officials
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Referee | Alfie Jocosol |
| Judges | Aqui Tamano |
| Gil Co | |
| Oliver Garcia | |
| Source:[11] | |
Broadcasting
| Country | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Philippines | Smart PH Elorde TV Puso Pilipinas |
See also
References
- ^ ABS-CBN News (September 25, 2025). "Boxing: Taduran's title defense to prelude Thrilla in Manila 2". www.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
- ^ Giongco, Nick (September 9, 2025). "Height is might?". tribune.net.ph. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
- ^ Viva Promotions (September 15, 2025). "COUNTDOWN TO THRILLA IN MANILA: IBF World Title Match". facebook.com. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
- ^ Rosal, Glendale G. (September 16, 2025). "Cebu's Balunan gets IBF world title shot vs champ Taduran on Oct. 26". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ^ Magallon, Reynald I. (September 16, 2025). "Pedro Taduran to star in 'Thrilla' countdown event". mb.com.ph. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ^ Aznar, Edri K. (September 16, 2025). "Balunan earns title shot". sunstar.com.ph. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ^ "BoxRec: Event". boxrec.com. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
- ^ Songalia, Ryan (October 25, 2025). "Pedro Taduran, Christian Balunan make weight for IBF title clash out". boxingscene.com. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- ^ Caluaga, Randy (October 25, 2025). "Taduran unfazed by taller challenger Balunan, vows to keep IBF title". manilastandard.net. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- ^ Ramos, Josef (October 27, 2025). "Taduran targets unification fight". businessmirror.com.ph. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "Pedro Taduran vs Christian Balunan sa Linggo". policefilestonite.net. October 20, 2025. Retrieved October 26, 2025.