CEBU CITY — Chinese power-puncher Dianxing Zhu survived a firefight with Cebuano fan-favorite Ian "The Assassin" Abne to win a hard-earned unanimous decision Saturday, May 9, at the Cebu Coliseum, capturing the IBF Minimumweight World Title Eliminator and a shot at champion Pedro Taduran.
Judges scored it 115-111, 116-110, and 114-112, all for the 29-year-old Zhu of Chengdu. With the victory, Zhu improves to 17-1, 14 KOs and becomes the mandatory challenger for IBF 105-lb king Pedro "El Heneral" Taduran.
Dianxing Zhu gets the trophy after hellacious firefight against Cebu Ian Paul Abne Saturday night.
A Battle of Wills
The slick southpaw Abne (12-1-2, 4 KOs), fighting out of Cebu’s ARQ Gym, came out fast. The Cagayan de Oro native used slick angles and sharp counters to bank the early rounds, exciting the Cebu Coliseum crowd.
But Zhu’s pressure was relentless. The taller Chinese contender started taking control of the toe-to-tow battle landing hard shots to the body and head. By the middle rounds, Zhu’s heavier punches began to take their toll.
Abne hit rough waters in the 10th. Hurt and tiring, he dug deep after a meaningful corner talk from Boholano head coach Fernando Ocon. The Cebuano warrior digged deep down and traded to the final bell, closing a brutal, unforgettable 12-round war that had fans will not forget.
Next: Taduran vs Zhu
With the win, Zhu now targets IBF Light Flyweight World Champion Pedro “El Heneral” Taduran (20-4-1, 14 KOs) later this year. Taduran and his caring manager Cucuy Elorde watched from ringside Saturday and will have plenty to study.
Abne Still World Class
Despite the loss, Abne proved to fans that he belongs with the elite. Prior to Saturday, he was ranked IBF #4, WBA #10, WBC #12, and WBO #11. While those numbers will shift, most expect him to remain in the rankings.
Abne left it all in the ring against a world-level opponent, earning respect in defeat and making ARQ Gym and Cebu proud. I feel proud of him, we all should. As their ARQ motto says “Hardwork and Discipline: Just Keep Doing.”
God bless Cebu’s ARQ Boxing Gym for the fantastic effort!
Ringside for Saturday’s action-packed show were beloved boxing patron don Antonio Aldeguer, GAB Boxing Chief Rodil Manaog, IBF Vice President Ben Keilty, plus Filipino legends Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes.
Kudos to Chao Sy Promotions for delivering another scintillating card at the iconic Cebu Coliseum in the heart of Colon.
Photos by Carlos Costa and JD Sanchez for Philboxing.com
The author Carlos Costa is a veteran Cebu boxing writer. carlos@philboxing.com
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