MANILA, Philippines – The San Andres Sports Complex is set to host a massive night for Philippine boxing on October 26. Headlining the first of two “Thrilla in Manila II” shows, heavy-handed IBF Strawweight champion Pedro Taduran will put his world title on the line against the undefeated rising star Robert Balunan. The Champion’s Journey: Pedro Taduran Pedro Taduran (18-4-1, 13 KOs), currently rated No. 2 by The Ring, is a warrior defined by resilience. After a storied career that saw him win, lose, and then reclaim the IBF throne, Taduran is back on top of the 105-pound division. His most recent performance was a gritty split-decision victory in May over Ginjiro Shigeoka. While it was a career-defining win, it was marred by tragedy as Shigeoka suffered a brain bleed post-fight. As Shigeoka continues his slow but steady recovery in the hospital, Taduran must now turn his focus to a hungry young challenger on home soil. The Challenger: Robert Balunan For the 25-year-old Robert Balunan (12-0, 7 KOs), this represents a massive leap in competition. Ranked No. 3 by the IBF (with the top two spots currently vacant), the Cebu native has been perfect since turning pro in 2021. With impressive stoppage wins over veterans like Clyde Azarcon and Robert Paradero, Balunan is eager to prove he belongs on the world stage. Stacked Undercard: Rex Tso and Miel Fajardo The event, promoted by Manny Pacquiao Promotions, features a deep 13-fight card with high-stakes regional matchups: The Return of Rex Tso: Popular Hong Kong veteran Rex Tso (23-0, 14 KOs) continues his comeback after an eight-year hiatus. He faces India’s Sagar Chouhan (6-0-2, 2 KOs) in a 10-round battle for a regional bantamweight title. Flyweight Fire: Power-puncher Miel Fajardo (12-3-2, 11 KOs) takes on Esneth Domingo (22-3, 14 KOs). This 10-round clash for a regional flyweight title is expected to be a “fight of the night” contender.
Pedro Taduran began like he had better places to be, winging power shots and advancing with bad intentions against a slippery, counter-punching challenger in Christian Balunan. Balunan (12-1, 7 KOs) was a heavy pre-fight underdog given his inexperience at world championship level, refused to relent despite being pressed on the back foot for sustained periods – suffering a nasty cut in round four – and absorbing damage aplenty afterwards. Taduran (19-4-1, 13 KOs) made a successful second defence of his IBF strawweight crown with scores of 117-111 and 118-110 twice in their all-Filipino main event during the first of two Thrilla In Manila II shows at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila, Philippines. Balunan smiled as he took early punishment to head and body, unable to stop the champion from pressing forward and forcing him to box on his back foot with infrequent success. The longer their exchanges went, the more important it was for Balunan to turn the tide – at least as far as optics were concerned – as he was having to duck and dive away from fast flurries and deft work downstairs. Balunan looked dazed and was quickly in survival mode late in the fourth, Taduran chasing him and unloading more combinations as the challenger sported a nasty gash above his eyebrow from an accidental clash of heads. There was increasing concern over Balunan’s cut in the fifth, Taduran continuing to blitz him where possible while the challenger’s face had turned a cherry red collour as their scrappy exchanges up close kept the referee busy. Midway through the sixth, the official paused the action for another inspection on Balunan’s cut – one Taduran wasn’t shy to target – though he was allowed to continue. An increasingly static target by this stage, he always fired back enough to avoid a premature stoppage but the pressure was starting to weigh heavy on the 25-year-old. After being tagged by left hands with more of the same in round seven, Balunan had to pick himself up off the canvas in the eighth, but it was ruled a slip rather than a knockdown as you wondered aloud whether to take pity on a courageous challenger. It should’ve been called a knockdown, Taduran couldn’t miss with his right hand in that sequence, even if he fell awkwardly after being overwhelmed. Balunan’s face was bloodied in the ninth, as it became increasingly clear this would likely go the distance unless the challenger’s corner were compassionate enough to avoid him eating more punishment – something that couldn’t be said for Jayson Vayson as he suffered a dubious seventh-round stoppage by WBO and Ring champion last month. There was clear mutual respect between the pair, but Taduran couldn’t find the finishing touches to rubberstamp an otherwise accomplished performance on home soil. Elsewhere on the card… After a pulsating 10-round tussle, Miel Fajardo’s final round knockdown put the exclamation mark on an impressive display against Esneth Domingo to claim a regional flyweight title. The scorecards read 98-91, 96-93, 96-93 for the 25-year-old during a tense battle often unfolding at centre ring, ‘Silent Assasin’ flooring Domingo (22-4, 14 KOs) in the last frame after sustained body work and flurries chipped away at Domingo’s resolve. Fajardo (13-3-2, 11 KOs) has now won two straight after consecutive 12-round decision defeats last year, first by IBF junior flyweight champion Thanongsak Simsri and then Tanzania’s Mchanja Yohana on his return to the 112-pound class. In the evening’s other featured bout, Hong Kong veteran Rex Tso looked well on his way to a stoppage victory over India’s Sagar Chouhan before an accidental clash of heads cut the latter, with their bantamweight contest ruled a no decision after two rounds.
MANILA, Philippines — After a dominant year of title defenses, the reigning IBF Minimumweight World Champion Pedro “Kid Pedro Heneral” Taduran is now setting his sights on the biggest prize in the division: the Undisputed Championship. Following his latest victory in late 2025, Taduran and his camp have confirmed that negotiations are intensifying for a massive unification showdown against Puerto Rico’s Oscar Collazo in early 2026. A Dominant 2025 Campaign Taduran has had a stellar 2025, proving that his second reign as IBF champion is built on more than just luck. The Shigeoka Rematch (May 24, 2025): In a highly anticipated return to Japan, Taduran defeated Ginjiro Shigeoka for the second time. In a grueling 12-round war at Intex Osaka, Taduran secured a split-decision victory, showcasing his superior stamina and relentless pressure. The “Thrilla” Anniversary Defense (October 26, 2025): Returning to Manila, Taduran successfully defended his crown against the previously unbeaten Filipino prospect Christian Balunan. Taduran’s experience was the deciding factor as he walked away with a unanimous decision win, further solidifying his rank as the #1 Minimumweight in the world. The Road to Undisputed The boxing world is now buzzing about a potential clash between Taduran and Oscar Collazo, who holds the WBA, WBO, and The Ring magazine titles. “I am ready for anyone. My goal is to bring all the belts back to the Philippines,” Taduran stated in a recent interview. “Whether it is Collazo in the US or Puerto Rico, I am preparing to be at my absolute best.” If the deal is finalized, this would be one of the most significant fights in the history of the 105-pound division, as both fighters are currently at the peak of their careers.
