Taduran beats Balunan, retains IBF world crown

Throwing punches in bunches, Pedro Taduran overwhelms Christian Balunan to maintain his IBF strawweight belt and enhance 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 (Worldwide Boxing Federation) strawweight crown on the San Andres Sports activities Complicated in Manila.

Throwing punches in bunches and relentlessly chasing the sport challenger, Taduran received on all scorecards, 117-111, 117-111, and 118-110, showing prepared for a world unification in his subsequent struggle.

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

An unintended conflict of heads brought on a reduce beneath Balunan’s proper eye within the fourth spherical, prompting the ring doctor to look at it 3 times, the final within the ninth spherical, however the Cebuano fought on whilst Taduran peppered him with fast punches.

By the eleventh spherical, Balunan went on survival mode, sometimes sneaking in jabs as Taduran pressed on the assault.

Balunan completed the bout with a bloody reduce, however earned the respect of Taduran for his gutsy stand.

“He was good and difficult,” stated Taduran. “He additionally ready arduous and wished 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.

In response to Gibbons, he would push for Taduran’s unification with Oscar Collazo, the WBO (World Boxing Group) and WBA (World Boxing Affiliation) champion.

Taduran expressed the identical sentiment, including that if it doesn’t work out, he can be keen to struggle countryman Melvin Jerusalem, the WBC (World Boxing Council) titlist as a substitute. – Rappler.com