By MARK REY MONTEJO
Reigning champion Pedro Taduran Jr. defends his IBF minimumweight title against mandatory challenger Christian Balunan in the Thrilla in Manila II Countdown at the San Andres Sports Complex Sunday, Oct. 26.
And one thing is clear, Taduran intends to give Balunan a reality check.
The 12-round bout serves as the featured match of the event with the 28-year-old Taduran, who currently holds an 18-4-1 (13KOs) card, seeing action for the first time in the country for almost two years.
Balunan, who holds a perfect record of 12-0-0 with 7 knockouts, vowed to give everything he got so as not to waste the opportunity to become a world champion which is part of his childhood dreams.
“Ito ‘yong paraan para mas makilala ako sa buong mundo, at maging isang kampeon balang araw, bata palang ako ito na ‘yong pinapangarap ko,” said the Cebuano orthodox fighter uring the fight’s press conference at the Orchid Garden Suites Saturday, Oct. 25.
“Baka bukas champion na ko, sisiguraduhin ko talaga na mabigyan ng magandang laban,” he added.”
But it won’t be easy since Taduran is dead-set to defend his title.
“Special kasi dito ako lalaban sa Maynila, kaya maraming nakakilala sa akin ang makakanood,” the southpaw Taduran respond.
“Excited po akong depensahan ‘tong belt, hindi ko [hahayaang] magawa nya ‘yong gusto nyang gawin,” he added.
This would be Taduran’s first comeback fight after he successfully defended his crown in a rematch with Japanese Ginjiro Shigeoka last May in Osaka, Japan. He dethroned the Japanese during a fight in July last year.
“Lahat ng makakaya ko, ibibigay ko talaga, lahat ng pinaghirapan namin sa training ipapakita ko [sa laban],” said Taduran.
“Mas excited ako na dehado ako, hindi naman hadlang ‘yong odds, mas nacha-challenge akong talunin [si Pedro] bukas,” Balunan stressed. “Ito ‘yong gateway ko sa success.”
The two co-main events will pit Hong Kong’s Rex Tso against India’s Sagar Chouhan in an IBF Pan Pacific Bantamweight championship, while Filipinos Miel Fajardo and Esneth Domingo lock horns for the IBF Pan Pacific Flyweight strap.
Rising stars across the country are also taking the spotlight with 11 other contests serving as undercards.
Admission is free in the Manny Pacquiao Promotions slugfest.
