Taduran to defend title in 'Thrilla 2' prelude

MANILA, Philippines — Three days before “Thrilla in Manila 2”, International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran will put his belt on the line against Christian Balunan.

Taduran will clash with the undefeated No. 1 contender Balunan from Cebu on October 26 at San Andres Sports Complex in Manila. 

The Taduran-Balunan bout will open the week’s Thrilla in Manila 2 festivities, which will culminate with the main card on October 29 at the Araneta Coliseum.

“A world championship boxing bout will absolutely rock the nation prior to the Thrilla in Manila 2 festivities, and we will start the week with Pedro Taduran’s IBF title defense against an undefeated opponent from Cebu,” Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, said. 

“The Thrilla in Manila 2 organized by our very own Manny Pacquiao wants a good teaser heading to that big boxing event, and Pedro and Christian [Balunan] are all in the right place to start the explosive boxing weekend,” Gibbons added. 

Taduran (18-4-1, with 13 knockouts) beat former champion Ginjiro Shigeoka last May in Japan in their rematch to retain the title. Now, he will defend the same crown against a solid contender in Balunan (12-0, with seven KOs).

“I am very proud to open the nation’s great boxing activities and thankful to Sir Manny Pacquiao for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the weekend boxing activity,” Taduran said. “I will prepare hard to keep the crown and entertain the crowd.”

A total of 10 competitive fights will usher the Thrilla in Manila 2 countdown headed by Taduran and Balunan, with Hong Kong’s undefeated Rex Tso (23-0 with 14 knockouts) battling Sagar Chouhan of India for the IBF vacant Pan Pacific bantamweight title. 

Flyweight prospect Miel Fajardo faces compatriot Esneth Domingo for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific flyweight championship; while Lienard Sarcon squares off with Filipino Junibert Bantay as part of show organized by the MP Promotions and Cucuy Elorde.

Six more undercards will be announced soon by Gibbons at the San Andres countdown card.

Meanwhile, Thrilla in Manila 2’s main event attraction will be a showdown between World Boxing Council minimumweight titlist Melvin Jerusalem and South African challenger Siyakholwa Kuse. 

Other Filipino boxers such as Eumir Felix Marcial, Marlon Tapales and Carl Jammes Martin will also see action in the undercard at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, as well as Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of boxing great Muhammad Ali Nico Ali Walsh.