It's all systems go for tomorrow's IBF strawweight world title fight, after defending champion Pedro Taduran and sizeable underdog Christian Balunan both weighed in at 104.3 pounds ahead of their matchup.

Topping the bill with an all-Filipino world title fight in a Manny Pacquiao Promotions show in Manila, Philippines, Taduran (18-4-1, 13 KOs) seeks to make a second successful defence of the title he skilfully snatched and retained against Ginjiro Shigeoka in Japan.

Balunan (12-0, 7 KOs) has a two-inch height advantage that he'll hope works in his favour, as he seeks to banish any doubts about his relative inexperience at championship level in what represents his first outing scheduled for 12 rounds.

Balunan's head coach Edito Villamor accepted his charge's slim odds, talking to English-language Filipino newspaper SunStar.

He said: "I trust Christian and what he did in training, he needs to focus on the fight and execute what we did, use his skills in this fight. His length is a huge advantage and if there's a chance, we'll go for the knockout."

Taduran, three years his senior, will be emboldened to produce a statement showing especially after news earlier this month confirming the IBF had accepted a request to treat Balunan as next-in-line for world honours.

That paves the way for more lucrative bouts and potential unifications, with WBC beltholder Melvin Jerusalem (24-3, 12 KOs) headlining the second of their Thrilla In Manila doubleheader on Tuesday in a defence vs. South Africa's Siyakholwa Kuse (9-2-1, 4 KOs).

IBF world strawweight title: Pedro Taduran (c) vs. Christian Balunan

Flyweight, 10 rounds: Miel Fajardo vs. Esneth Domingo

Bantamweight, 10 rounds: Rex Tso vs. Sagar Chouhan

Featherweight, 10 rounds: Leinard Sarcon vs. Junibert Bantay

Strawweight, 10 rounds: Joperson Trazo vs. Carlo Diaz VII

Strawweight, 8 rounds: Junny Bugas vs. Richard Garde

Junior bantamweight, 8 rounds: Claire Villarosa vs. John Rey Labajo

Women's bantamweight, 8 rounds: Gretel De Paz vs. Charimae Salvador

Bantamweight, 8 rounds: Noli James Maquilan vs. Angelo Samson