UNDEFEATED prospect Christian Balunan gets the biggest break of his young promising career as he fights 17-year-old Thai Adetip Maungcharoen for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific minimumweight title in co-feature of PMI Boxing’s “Kumong Bol-anon” on Nov. 4, 2023 at the Bohol Wisdom Gymnasium in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
“This is a huge opportunity given by PMI that he’ll be fighting for a regional title. This is a big break for him that takes him closer to his dream,” Balunan’s trainer Edito Villamor told SunStar Cebu. “I hope he delivers and follows the game plan that we’ve worked on in the gym. The opponent won’t be easy. He’s an undefeated fighter and has a lot of Muay Thai fights. This fight will determine if he’s ready for the bigger stage.”
The 23-year-old Balunan just turned pro two years ago, wherein he easily knocked out Roga Libres in a single round in Bohol.
Balunan has already eight pro bouts under his belt and is coming off a convincing unanimous decision over Ariston Aton last June 24 in Consolacion, Cebu.
Balunan has been putting in some work at the Villamor Boxing Gym (VBG) in Mandaue City and has been sparring with former world champion Milan Melindo.
Maungcharoen is also new to the pro ranks and is in his fifth month as a pro boxer. He made his debut last June 17 in Bangkok and scored a second round technical knockout of Ratanachai Ratanakriangkrai. He fought once in July, twice in August and once in September.
Maungcharoen, however, isn’t new in the fight game. He has a total of 81 fights in Muay Thai and amassed a record of 64 wins and 17 losses.
Maungcharoen is fresh from a first round stoppage of Phongpat Kenkampa in Bangkok.
Balunan is 8-0 with four knockouts, while Maungcharoen is 5-0 with three knockouts.
Balunan’s VBG teammate, Reymart Tagacanao, is also seeing action on the same card. The 24-year-old Carcar, Cebu native is up against another veteran in Jason Mopon.
Tagacanao is coming off a huge unanimous decision win over former world title challenger Vergilio Silvano last Sept. 22 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Mopon, on the other hand, is fresh from an upset technical decision victory over Alvin Camique in Zamboanga del Norte last Aug. 12.
Tagacanao is 6-0 with five knockouts, while 10-18 with a knockout.
Also featured in the event is former world title contender Casey Morton. Morton (11-4-3, 3 KOs) is up against Thai Arisara Wisetwongsa (6-4, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder.
In the undercard, Gerwin Asilo (6-0, 2 KOs) locks horns with Jerry Pabila (7-10, 5 KOs), Shane Gentallan (7-1, 4 KOs) trades leathers with undefeated Johnro Taneo (4-0-1, 3 KOs), Althea Shine Pores (1-0) takes on Charimae Salvador (5-6, 2 KOs) in a rematch, Sugarey Leonard Pores (1-0, 1 KO) is fighting Jayfe Mabale (0-1), Richard Laspoña (1-0, 1 KO) faces off with Steven Lagrama (1-0) and Cebu-based Pole
Patryk Roslak makes his pro debut against fellow newcomer Ralph David Cemino.
The main event features one-time world title challenger Regie Suganob (13-1, 4 KOs) taking on fellow world-rated Ronald Chacon (30-2-1, 22 KOs) for the WBO Global light flyweight strap.