Balunan girds for toughest challenge in his budding career

CEBU, Philippines — The undefeated Cebuano ring gladiator Christian Balunan braces for what could be the most challenging battle of his budding career as he takes on two-time world champion Vic Saludar in an all-Filipino International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight title eliminator on July 27 in Seoul, South Korea.

The winner of their scheduled 12-round bout will earn a mandatory shot at the IBF 105-pound crown currently held by their fellow countryman Pedro Taduran.

“I will give my best in this fight. This is going to be a war especially that he (Saludar) is a former world champion. May the best man win,” declared the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific Youth titlist who is managed by noted Boholano impresario Atty. Floriezyl Exchavez-Podot of PMI Bohol Stable.

Balunan brandishes a perfect 12-0 record with seven knockouts. He scored a technical decision victory over former world title challenger Robert Paradero in his previous ring appearance on December 21 last year in Tagbilaran City.

Trained by Philippine boxing great turned champion maker Edito “ALA” Villamor, Balunan holds a lot of promise.

But the pride of Consolacion, Cebu will surely face a tall order against the “Vicious” Saludar, who once held court in the WBO and WBA minimumweight class.

A grizzled veteran who carries a 26-6 win-loss card with 16KOs, Saludar has fought the best in his division including world champions Oscar Collazo, Erick Rosa, Wilfredo Mendez, Kosei Tanaka, Ryuya Yamanaka, and Masataka Taniguchi.

The 25-year-old Balunan, however, is nine years younger than Saludar, setting up an interesting battle of youth versus experience.