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Philippines, 30 May 2026 |
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Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War By Dong Secuya PhilBoxing.com Sun, 10 May 2026  CEBU CITY — The air inside the historic Cebu Coliseum was thick with humidity and the metallic scent of sweat and leather. What was billed as an IBF minimumweight eliminator transformed into a visceral, primitive struggle for survival. In a performance defined by superhuman durability, China’s Dianxing Zhu silenced the local faithful, out-slugging hometown hero Ian Paul Abne in a "phone booth" battle that pushed both men to the absolute brink of physical collapse. From the opening bell, the Chao Sy International promoted Fist of Fury X, the tactical textbook was thrown out the window. Abne, usually a calculated mover, made a daring—some might say suicidal—choice: he decided to beat the "Chinese Matador" at his own game. The two men didn't just fight; they occupied the same square foot of canvas for twelve rounds. Abne unleashed thunderous hooks that landed with sickening thuds against Zhu’s ribs and jaw. For the first four rounds, it seemed the gamble might pay off. But Zhu proved to be less of a man and more of a granite monolith. He didn't flinch. He didn't retreat. He simply swallowed Abne’s best shots and asked for more, maintaining a volume of fire that eventually began to erode the Filipino’s resolve.  By the fifth, the frantic pace began to claim its toll. Abne’s breathing became labored, his punches losing the "snap" that had punctuated the early rounds. Zhu, sensing the hunt was reaching its climax, shifted into another gear. The 6th Round: Zhu found a home for a devastating combination that sent Abne to the canvas, silencing the arena. The 8th Round: History repeated itself. Another knockdown left Abne reeling. Veteran referee Danrex Tapdasan leaned in close, issuing a chilling ultimatum to Abne’s corner: Throw or it’s over.  Zhu, with a contusion on his forehead, takes the trophy. Refusing to let his dream die in front of his people, Abne found a "second wind" fueled by pure desperation. He surged back, hammering a massive contusion onto Zhu’s forehead that swelled like a grotesque badge of war. As the 11th round began, the sparsely populated Coliseum sounded like a capacity crowd, the rafters shaking with rhythmic chants of "Ian! Ian! Ian!" When the final bell rang, there were no celebrations—only exhaustion. The judges’ scorecards reflected Zhu’s relentless pressure: 115-111, 115-112, and 116-110. Both warriors were later examined by the medics who slumped into their seats, motionless for several minutes. It wasn't just a fight; it was an exorcism of energy. The front row was a "Who’s Who" of Philippine boxing royalty. Four-division legend Nonito Donaire, the "Ahas" Donnie Nietes, and the iconic Dodie Boy Peñalosa watched with grim respect. The main guest watching however was the man with the target on his back: reigning IBF World Champion Pedro Taduran. When asked about the relentless Zhu, Taduran flashed a warrior’s grin. "Maganda laban. Gusto ko dahil hindi ko na siya hahanapin," (It's a good fight. I like it because I won't have to go looking for him.) While Taduran acknowledged Zhu as a mandatory menace, he admitted his heart is set on a legacy-defining unification bout with WBO/WBA/Ring king Oscar Collazo. However, after Saturday night, one thing is certain: if Zhu is the challenger, Taduran is in for the fight of his life. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.  |
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