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.

Gretchen Abaniel
Born
Gretchen Magbanua Abaniel

(1985-11-04) November 4, 1985 (age 39)
Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Other names"Chen-Chen"
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 1 in (1.55 m)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights29
Wins18
Wins by KO6
Losses11
Medal record
Women's amateur boxing
Representing  Philippines
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2005 Podolsk Pinweight

Early life

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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.[1] Abaniel is a Seventh-day Adventist.[2]

Boxing career

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Amateur

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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.[3]

Professional

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Citing lack of support from the government, Abaniel turned professional in 2006.[3]

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.[4]

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.[5] Judges scored (96-94,94-96,99-91) granting her a split decision victory.

Professional boxing record

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29 fights 18 wins 11 losses
By knockout 6 3
By decision 12 8
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
29 Loss 18–11 Seniesa Estrada RTD 4 (10), 2:00 13 Jun 2019 The Avalon, Los Angeles, California, U.S. For WBC Silver female light-flyweight title
28 Loss 18–10 Tenkai Tsunami TKO 4 (10), 1:33 29 Jul 2018 Okinawa Convention Center, Ginowan, Japan For WBO female light-flyweight title
27 Loss 18–9 Cai Zongju UD 10 28 Oct 2017 Macau East Asian Games Dome, Cotai, China For IBF female minimumweight title
26 Win 18–8 Chamaporn Chairin UD 6 30 Sep 2017 Elorde Sports Complex, Parañaque, Philippines
25 Win 17–8 Saowaluk Nareepangsri UD 10 2 Jul 2016 Club Punchbowl, Sydney, Australia Retained GBU female minimumweight title; Won vacant WIBA minimumweight title
24 Win 16–8 Asiye Özlem Sahin SD 10 7 Nov 2015 Arena Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany Won GBU and vacant WIBF minimumweight titles
23 Loss 15–8 Park Ji-hyun UD 10 1 Aug 2015 Bucheon Gymnasium, Bucheon, South Korea For WIBA atomweight title
22 Loss 15–7 Cai Zongju UD 10 22 Feb 2015 Wenshan Prefecture Ethnic Gymnasium, Wenshan, China For vacant WBC International female minimumweight title
21 Loss 15–6 Kumiko Seeser Ikehara SD 10 20 Sep 2014 Azalea Taisho Hall, Osaka, Japan For vacant WBO female minimumweight title
20 Win 15–5 Thanya Tuyon TKO 5 (10), 1:44 24 May 2014 Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Sydney, Australia
19 Win 14–5 Sumalee Tongpootorn TKO 9 (10), 1:18 7 Feb 2014 Town Plaza Gymnasium, Biñan, Philippines Won vacant WIBA minimumweight title
18 Loss 13–5 Ayaka Miyao UD 10 28 Nov 2013 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan For WBA female atomweight title
17 Win 13–4 Dorkmaipa Keangpompetch KO 1 (4), 1:39 17 Aug 2013 RSL Club, Sawtell, Australia
16 Win 12–4 Chadaphorn Suklert TKO 4 (10), 1:36 2 Dec 2012 Makati Cinema Square Boxing Arena, Makati, Philippines Won vacant WIBA minimumweight title
15 Win 11–4 Christine Latube UD 6 29 Sep 2012 Brusmick Compound Gym, Santa Rosa, Philippines
14 Loss 10–4 Teeraporn Pannimit UD 10 25 Apr 2012 Bung Nam Thao, Thailand For vacant WBO female minimumweight title
13 Loss 10–3 Katia Gutiérrez TKO 4 (10), 1:57 10 Dec 2011 Estadio Centenario, Los Mochis, Mexico For IBF female minimumweight title
12 Loss 10–2 Siriporn Thaweesuk UD 10 19 Feb 2011 Sukhothai Institute of Physical Education Stadium, Sukhothai, Thailand For WIBA and vacant WBC–ABCO minimumweight titles
11 Win 10–1 Buasawan Wisetchat UD 8 2 Oct 2010 Elorde Sports Complex, Parañaque, Philippines
10 Win 9–1 Waranya Yoohanngoh UD 10 25 Mar 2010 Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Pasay, Philippines Retained WIBA minimumweight title
9 Win 8–1 Buasawan Wisetchat UD 10 25 Mar 2009 Manila Hotel, Manila, Philippines Won vacant WIBA minimumweight title
8 Win 7–1 Tukta Pakabbuth UD 10 13 Sep 2008 Puerto Princesa Coliseum, Puerto Princesa, Philippines Retained WIBA Intercontinental minimumweight title
7 Loss 6–1 Son Cho-rong TD 4 (10), 2:00 16 Mar 2008 Gwangju, South Korea For WBA female minimumweight title
6 Win 6–0 Napaporn Boonchuon UD 10 16 Nov 2007 San Andres Civic & Sports Center, Manila, Philippines Won vacant WBC International female minimumweight title
5 Win 5–0 Li Hai Li UD 8 15 Sep 2007 Elorde Sports Complex, Parañaque, Philippines Won vacant WIBA Intercontinental minimumweight title
4 Win 4–0 Baina Londo TKO 3 (4), 1:00 29 Apr 2007 Plaza Rajah Sulayman, Manila, Philippines
3 Win 3–0 Jessica Oyang TKO 3 (4), 1:20 21 Apr 2007 New Victorias City Coliseum, Victorias, Philippines
2 Win 2–0 Baina Londo UD 4 3 Mar 2007 Plaza Rajah Sulayman, Manila, Philippines
1 Win 1–0 Li Hai Li MD 4 21 Dec 2006 EXPO Garden Hotel, Kunming, China

Titles and Accomplishment

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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

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She was a contestant on the television program The Amazing Race Philippines 2, being a part of an athleticism focused duo with Luz McClitton.[6] 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

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References

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  1. ^ untvweb (2013-10-15), Meet the Filipina World Boxing Champ, retrieved 2016-04-13
  2. ^ Eroa, Dennis (26 July 2016). "Unsung heroine: Abaniel punches way to stardom". Sports Inquirer. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  3. ^ a b Gutierrez, Paul (1 August 2016). "'3x champ' pero mahirap pa rin" [‘3x champ’ but still difficult [for Abaniel]]. Journal Online (in Filipino). Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Gretchen Abaniel Captures Her Second World Title - Boxing News". boxingscene.com.
  5. ^ "Özlem Sahin (Ger) vs. Gretchen Abaniel (Philippines)". www.globalboxingunion.com. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  6. ^ The Amazing Race Philippines Reality Fan Forum Retrieved April 25, 2019
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