Gretchen Abaniel Explained

Gretchen Abaniel
Nationality:Filipino
Realname:Gretchen Magbanua Abaniel
Nickname:"Chen-Chen"
Weight:
Birth Date:4 November 1985
Birth Place:Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
Style:Orthodox
Total:29
Wins:18
Ko:6
Losses:11

Gretchen Magbanua Abaniel (born November 4, 1985) is a Filipino professional boxer. She held the WIBA mini-flyweight title from 2009 to 2011 and the WIBF mini-flyweight title from 2015 to 2016. She has also challenged for multiple major world titles across three weight classes; the WBA, IBF and WBO female mini-flyweight titles between 2008 and 2017; the WBA female atomweight title in 2013; and the WBO female light-flyweight title in 2018.

Early life

Abaniel's father thought she should learn martial arts like karate and she later grew interested in boxing, joining the national team to start her amateur career. Abaniel is a Seventh-day Adventist.[1]

Boxing career

Amateur

Abaniel, a resident of Puerto Princesa, has been supported by her town's mayor, Edward Hagedorn, throughout her career, even when becoming part of the Philippine national team in 2003 due to inadequate support from the Philippine Sports Commission. As an amateur boxer competing for her country, Abaniel won a bronze medal at the 2005 Women's World Amateur Boxing Championships in Russia. She has also won titles in tournaments held in Taiwan.[2]

Professional

Citing lack of support from the government, Abaniel turned professional in 2006.[2]

Abaniel won her first world title match against Thailand's Nongbua Lookpraiaree after a tenth-round unanimous decision allowed her to capture the vacant Women's International Boxing Association World minimumweight title. She lost her title to Samson Tor Buamas in Sukhothai, Thailand on February 19, 2011.[3]

2015 Abaniel won her match in Ludwigsburg MHP Arena, Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, against undefeated hometown favorite, German-Turkish Oezlem Sahin for the WIBF/GBU world light flyweight title.[4] Judges scored (96-94,94-96,99-91) granting her a split decision victory.

Professional boxing record

18 Wins (6 knockouts, 12 decisions), 11 Losses (3 knockout, 8 decisions), 0 Draws
Res.RecordOpponentTypeRd., TimeDateLocationNotes
Loss18-11 Seniesa Estrada
Loss18-10 Tenkai Tsunami
Loss18-9 Zongju Cai
Win18-8 Chamaporn Chairin
Win17-8 Saowaluk Nareepangsri
Win16-8 Oezlem Sahin
Loss15-8Ji Hyun Park
Loss15-7 Zong Ju Cai
Loss15-6 Kumiko Seeser Ikehara
Win15-5 Buangern Onesongchaigym
Win14-5 Nongnun Mor Krungthepthonburi
Loss13-5 Ayaka Miyao
Win13-4 Dorkmaipa Keangpompetch
Win12-4 Modthanoi Sor Suklert
Win11-4 Christine Latube
Loss10-4 Teeraporn Pannimit
Loss10-3 Katia Gutiérrez
Loss10-2 Samson Tor Buamas
Win10-1 Nongbua Lookpraiaree
Win9-1 Fahpratan Looksaikongdin
Win8-1 Nongbua Lookpraiaree
Win7-1 Star Sithpracha
Loss6-1 Cho-Rong Son
Win6-0 Lilly Kokietgym
Win5-0 Li Hai Li
Win4-0 Baina Londo
Win3-0 Jessica Oyang
Win2-0 Baina Londo
Win1-0 Li Hai Li

Titles and Accomplishment

WIBA Women's International Boxing Association Minimumweight title (2009, 2014, 2016)
WBC International female minimumweight title (2007)

Other Titles:
WIBA Minimumweight Intercontinental Title
Women's International Boxing Federation World Minimumweight title
Global Boxing Union Female World Minimumweight title

Appearances in media

She was a contestant on the television program The Amazing Race Philippines 2, being a part of an athleticism focused duo with Luz McClitton.[5] She was also a guest on a morning news-talk program called GMK conceptualized by Daniel Razon.

She also participated on a Philippine variety show called It's Showtime:Trabahula on March 10, 2016

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Unsung heroine: Abaniel punches way to stardom. Sports Inquirer. 26 July 2016. 11 June 2018. Dennis. Eroa.
  2. News: Gutierrez. Paul. '3x champ' pero mahirap pa rin. ‘3x champ’ but still difficult [for Abaniel]. 3 August 2016. Journal Online. 1 August 2016. Filipino. https://web.archive.org/web/20160804020555/http://www.journal.com.ph/news/top-stories/3x-champ-pero-mahirap-pa-rin. 4 August 2016. dead.
  3. Web site: Gretchen Abaniel Captures Her Second World Title - Boxing News. boxingscene.com.
  4. Web site: Özlem Sahin (Ger) vs. Gretchen Abaniel (Philippines). www.globalboxingunion.com. 2016-04-13.
  5. http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php?topic=30344.0 The Amazing Race Philippines