IBF strawweight world champion Pedro Taduran will seek to dismiss Christian Balunan in their all-Filipino fight later this month, before moving towards bigger divisional duels as unification matchups beckon.

Taduran-Balunan tops a 12-fight card as Manny Pacquiao's MP Promotions honours the 50th anniversary of Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier 3 with two shows that week in Manila, Philippines.

The sanctioning body approved a MP Promotions-led request, on Taduran's behalf, to ensure the No. 3-rated contender is officially viewed as next in line, paving the way for a voluntary or title unification in his next contest if victorious.

BoxingScene were first to report the update, with both champion and challenger required to submit to anti-doping testing regulations in accordance with IBF rules.

Two-time champion Taduran (18-4-1, 13 KOs) has won four straight since falling short in a two-fight series with Rene Mark Cuarto for the 105-pound title in February 2021 and 2022.

The 28-year-old scored a ninth-round stoppage of Ginjiro Shigeoka to regain his old belt in July 2024, before doing enough for a 12-round split decision nod in their May 24 rematch.

Shigeoka remains hospitalised from head injuries sustained during their frantic battle and required immediate brain surgery, with older brother and former world champion Yudai retiring in August to continue looking after him.

WBO, WBA and Ring beltholder Oscar Collazo (13-0, 10 KOs) reeled off another defence after a contentious seventh-round stoppage win over Jayson Vayson on September 20.

WBC titlist Melvin Jerusalem (24-3, 12 KOs) headlines the second Manila show, facing Siyakholwa Kuse three days later and there's an eagerness to find another undisputed ruler.

Balunan (12-0, 7 KOs) will finally make his first appearance of 2025 in a serious step-up for world honours, having last fought to a fifth-round technical decision win over Robert Paradero last December 21.

Taduran is The Ring's No. 2-rated strawweight for Collazo's throne, while Balunan is unranked and not yet boxed anyone at the elite level.

That inactivity isn't exactly the 25-year-old's fault, after the IBF ordered him to face former WBO world champion Vic Saludar in a final eliminator.

Training for a reported July 25 date in South Korea, no deal was ever agreed and ultimately he has now been recognised as the mandatory challenger with the sanctioning body's top two ranking places remaining vacant.