Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 08 May 2026
Abne (L) and Zhu at the weighin.
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Undefeated Filipino Ian “The Assassin” Abne and dangerous visiting Chinese Dian Xing Zhu successfully made weight ahead of their crucial 12-round IBF Minimumweight World Title Eliminator, set for Saturday, May 9, at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City, Philippines.
The confident Ian Abne tipped the scales at 104 lbs, while Zhu weighed in at 105 lbs, both men looking in awesome physical condition for the fight of their lives.
The 26-year-old Ian Abne (12-0-2, 4 KOs) returns to the ring following a hard-fought technical draw against Rento Miyazawa in Japan last August. Despite the pressure, Abne was slightly ahead on the score cards, proving that he can handle himself on the international stage. Now, nine months later, “The Assassin” is just one step away from a world title shot.
Dian Xing Zhu (second from right) and Chinese promoter Robin Wong (C) pose with the Chinese team supporting Zhu in their fight tomorrow against homeboy Ian Paul Abne.
Standing in his way is the heavy-handed Dian Xing Zhu (16-1, 14 KOs). Zhu is known in social media as a "Pinoy killer," having already defeated four Filipino boxers, including a second-round knockout of John Kevin Jimenez last October.
The stakes are massive: the victor earns a mandatory shot at reigning IBF Minimumweight World Champion Pedro “El Heneral” Taduran (20-4-1, 14 KOs)—who is promoted by the legendary Manny Pacquiao.
Will Abne secure an all-Filipino world title showdown, or will Zhu continue his dominance over Philippine opposition? The New Cebu Coliseum is expected to be at capacity. If you’re here in Cebu, don’t miss it. May the Best Man Win 🇵🇭 Laban Pinoy!
The author of this story is veteran boxing writer Carlos Cost in Cebu 🇵🇭Philippines, carlos@philboxing.com
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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