Nickname(s) "Chen""Chen-Chen" Wins by KO 6 Division Minimumweight Losses 8 Wins 15 Height 1.55 m Draws 0 | Nationality Filipino Role Professional Boxer Stance Orthodox stance Rated at minimumweight Name Gretchen Abaniel Total fights 23 | |
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Real name Gretchen Magbanua Abaniel Born | ||
Meet the Filipina World Boxing Champ
Gretchen Abaniel (born 21 December 1985 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines) is a Filipino professional boxer she won the WIBA Women's International Boxing Association minimumweight title and the WBC International female minimumweight title (2007).
Contents
- Meet the Filipina World Boxing Champ
- Gretchen abaniel interview
- Early life
- Amateur
- Professional
- Titles and Accomplishment
- Appearances in media
- References
Gretchen abaniel interview
Early life
Her father thought she should learn martial arts like karate, later she grew interested in boxing and joined the national team to start her amateur career.
Amateur
Abaniel, a resident of Puerto Princessa is being supported by her town's mayor Edward Hagedorn throughout her career even as she became part of the Philippine national team in 2003 due to inadequate support from the Philippine Sports Commission. As an amateur boxing competing for her country, Abaniel won a bronze medal at the 2005 Women's World Amateur Boxing Championships in Russia. She also won titles in tournaments held in Taiwan.
Professional
Citing lack of support from the government, Abaniel turned professional in 2006.
Abaniel won her first world title match against Thailand's Nongbua Lookpraiaree via tenth-round Unanimous Decision to capture the vacant Women's International Boxing Association World minimumweight title. She lost her title to Samson Tor Buamas on her second defense against on Sukhothai, Thailand in February 19, 2011.
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. Judges scored (96-94,94-96,99-91) granting her a split decision victory.
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.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 in March 10, 2016