Filipino boxer Ian Paul Abne has accepted the challenge thrown by Chinese fighter Dianxing Zhu ahead of their highly anticipated bout at the "Fist of Fury 10 - The Eliminator" boxing event on May 9, 2026, at the New Cebu Coliseum.
Abne responded to Zhu's challenge through a video forwarded by Chao Sy International Promotions to local sports media.
"We'll see it in our fight soon. I will do my best because this is a challenge. This is a good fight," said Abne, who has been training hard for this big opportunity.
The fight between Abne and Zhu is an International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight world title eliminator. The winner will become the mandatory contender for IBF minimumweight king, Filipino Pedro Taduran.
In the video, Abne's trainer Fernando Ocon expressed great confidence that his ward will win.
"What I can say is, let's meet on May 9. This will be a knockout fight because our training is no joke," said Ocon.
Abne, who is under the Cebu-based ARQ Stable, holds a record of 12 wins, 0 losses, with 4 knockouts. Zhu, on the other hand, has a record of 16 wins, 1 loss, with 14 knockouts.
The promotion, spearheaded by Cebu sportsman Lorenzo "Chao" Sy, will also feature eight other fights.
