Taduran beats Balunan, retains IBF world crown

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Throwing punches in bunches, Pedro Taduran overwhelms Christian Balunan to keep his IBF strawweight belt and boost his bid for a world unification title bout

MANILA, Philippines – Pedro Taduran proved superior to Christian Balunan on Sunday, October 26, and handily retained the IBF (International Boxing Federation) strawweight crown at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.

Throwing punches in bunches and relentlessly chasing the game challenger, Taduran won on all scorecards, 117-111, 117-111, and 118-110, appearing ready for a world unification in his next fight.

Taduran raised his record to 19-4-1 with 13 knockouts, while Balunan suffered his first defeat after 12 straight victories with seven knockouts.

An accidental clash of heads caused a cut below Balunan’s right eye in the fourth round, prompting the ring physician to examine it three times, the last in the ninth round, but the Cebuano fought on even as Taduran peppered him with rapid punches.

By the 11th round, Balunan went on survival mode, occasionally sneaking in jabs as Taduran pressed on the attack.

Balunan finished the bout with a bloody cut, but earned the respect of Taduran for his gutsy stand.

“He was good and tough,” said Taduran. “He also prepared hard and wanted to win.”

The Taduran-Balunan tussle, a prelude to the “Thrilla in Manila II” on October 29, was staged by Cucuy and Marty Elorde and Manny Pacquiao Promotions president Sean Gibbons.

According to Gibbons, he would push for Taduran’s unification with Oscar Collazo, the WBO (World Boxing Organization) and WBA (World Boxing Association) champion.

Taduran expressed the same sentiment, adding that if it doesn’t work out, he would be willing to fight countryman Melvin Jerusalem, the WBC (World Boxing Council) titlist instead. – Rappler.com