All roads lead to the New Cebu Coliseum this Saturday, May 9, 2026, as big-time boxing returns to the historic venue with the highly anticipated "Fist of Fury X - The Eliminator" boxing promotion.
Main Event: IBF Minimumweight World Title Eliminator
In the main event, promoted by Chao Sy International Promotions under Cebu sports patron Lorenzo "Chao" Sy, Filipino Ian Paul "The Assassin" Abne of the Cebu-based ARQ boxing stable will face Chinese knockout artist Dianxing Zhu in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight world title eliminator. The winner becomes the mandatory contender for IBF minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran, who will personally observe the bout to scout his next challenger.
"I will bring big-time boxing back to Cebu. We will keep promoting Philippine championships, regional fights, and eventually world title fights," Sy said during the press conference held after the official weigh-in on Friday, May 8, at the New Cebu Coliseum.
The last major boxing card held at the Cebu Coliseum was on November 26, 2016, when former ALA boy Milan Melindo defeated Thai Teeraphong Utaida by unanimous decision to claim the IBF interim light flyweight belt.
Pre-Fight Tensions
From the start of the press conference, tensions flared when Zhu's camp threatened to make Abne crawl. "We will fight to win. We will win by knockout," said Zhu's manager, Robin Wong. Reacting to the threat, Abne responded, "We'll see about that. This is a fight. I won't waste this opportunity." Zhu holds a record of 16-1 with 14 knockouts, while Abne boasts an undefeated record of 12-0-2 with 4 knockouts.
Supporting Bouts
In the top supporting bouts, Jimuel Aranas (8-3-1, 4 KOs) will face Jeric Noynay (5-2, 1 KO) for the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Silver flyweight belt. Meanwhile, John Paul Gabunilas (10-4, 7 KOs) takes on Ramil Roda (7-3-2, 4 KOs) for the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) super-flyweight title.
On the undercard, action includes Jubert Cahimat (4-0, 1 KO) versus Mark Sabang (5-2-1, 3 KOs), Jony Mar Loreno (2-0-1, 1 KO) against Kei Mark Akut (2-4-1, 2 KOs), Carl Penedo (2-0, 1 KO) versus Marlon Alejandro (6-11-2, 1 KO), Justin Trazo (1-0) against Conrad Jason Agujar (0-5), Chinese Aqoian Li versus Jerson Baclohan (0-1), and Venance Dances (0-0) versus Norman Rusiana (1-10-2).
The promotion will be highlighted by amateur fights starting at 4:00 PM.
