Crucial clash

An all-Filipino cast will work the International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight title fight between defending champion Pedro Taduran against mandatory challenger Christian Balunan this Sunday at the San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

Taduran is making the second defense of the IBF 105-pound crown in the slugfest that will feature 13 other bouts, including some of the Philippines’ fastest-rising world contenders.

To ensure fair play, the IBF assigned an all-local crew to officiate the contest with Alfie Jocosol serving as referee and Aqui Tamano, Gil Co and Oliver Garcia acting as the three judges.

Sean Gibbons of Manny Pacquiao Promotions is staging the card in partnership with Limitless with Knuckleheads Pro Boxing Fraternity, Viva Promotions, UKC and the City of Manila providing solid backing to the event serving as appetizer to the Thrilla in Manila’s golden anniversary celebration.

A win by Taduran should propel him to a lucrative unification clash with two-belt titleholder Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico, who has the World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association straps.

Collazo had declared his desire to win all the belts following his seventh-round stoppage of the game Filipino Jayson Vayson last month in Indio, California.

The other title that Collazo is targeting is currently being held by Melvin Jerusalem, who defends his World Boxing Council plum for the third time against South African Siyakholwa Kuse on 29 October at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Taduran and Jerusalem are actually vying for the chance to challenge Collazo but Taduran has the inside track at the moment.

Unless he gets upset by Balunan, who is unbeaten, Taduran should find himself tangling with Collazo in February or March of 2026 for three titles as well as Collazo’s other prized jewel, The Ring magazine belt.

In the co-main event, Miel Fajardo battles Esneth Domingo in a ten-round flyweight showdown.

Providing international flavor is the bantamweight clash between Hong Kong’s Rex Tso against Sagar Chouhan of India.

Two other Filipino prospects — featherweight Lienard Sarcon and flyweight AJ Paciones — also display their wares against separate foes.