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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18 Wins (6 knockouts, 12 decisions), 11 Losses (3 knockout, 8 decisions), 0 Draws
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Loss 18-11   Seniesa Estrada RTD (10) 2019-06-13   The Avalon, Hollywood, California WBC Silver Female Light Flyweight Title
Loss 18-10   Tenkai Tsunami TKO 4 (10) 2018-07-29   Convention Center, Ginowan, Okinawa, Japan WBO World Female Light Flyweight Title
Loss 18-9   Zongju Cai UD 10 2017-10-28   Macau East Asian Games Dome, Macao WBO World Female Minimumweight Title
Win 18-8   Chamaporn Chairin UD 6 2017-09-30   Elorde Sport Complex, Parañaque, Metro Manila
Win 17-8   Saowaluk Nareepangsri UD 10 2016-07-02   Club Punchbowl, Punchbowl, New South Wales won WIBA World minimumweight title
GBU Female World Minimumweight title
Win 16-8   Oezlem Sahin SD 10 2015-11-07   Ludwigsburg MHP Arena, Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg Women's International Boxing Federation World Minimumweight title
Global Boxing Union Female World Minimumweight title
Loss 15-8  Ji Hyun Park UD 10 2015-08-01   Bucheon Gymnasium, Bucheon WIBA Minimumweight title.
Loss 15-7   Zong Ju Cai UD 10 2015-02-22   Wenshan WBC International female Minimumweight title & WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental female Minimumweight title
Loss 15-6   Kumiko Seeser Ikehara SD 10 2014-09-20   Osaka WBO World female minimumweight title
Win 15-5   Buangern Onesongchaigym TKO 5 (10) 2014-05-24   Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney, New South Wales
Win 14-5   Nongnun Mor Krungthepthonburi TKO 9 (10), 1:18 2014-02-07   Town Plaza Gymnasium, Binan City, Laguna WIBA Minimumweight title.
Loss 13-5   Ayaka Miyao UD 10 2013-11-28   Korakuen Hall, Tokyo WBA Female Atomweight title
Win 13-4   Dorkmaipa Keangpompetch KO 1 (4), 1:39 2013-08-17   RSL Club, Sawtell, New South Wales
Win 12-4   Modthanoi Sor Suklert TKO 4 (10), 1:36 2012-12-02   Makati Cinema Square, Makati
Win 11-4   Christine Latube UD 6 2012-09-29   Brusmick Comp. Gym, Santa Rosa City, Laguna
Loss 10-4   Teeraporn Pannimit UD 10 2012-04-25   Bung Nam Thao vacant WBO World female minimumweight title
Loss 10-3   Katia Gutiérrez TKO 4 (10),1:57 2011-12-10   Estadio Centenario, Los Mochis, Sinaloa IBF World female minimumweight title
Loss 10-2   Samson Tor Buamas UD 10 2011-02-19   Sukhothai WIBA Minimumweight title & vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council female minimumweight title
Win 10-1   Nongbua Lookpraiaree UD 8 2010-10-02   The Flash Grand Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Complex, Parañaque, Metro Manila
Win 9-1   Fahpratan Looksaikongdin UD 10 2010-03-25   Harbor Garden Tent, Sofitel Plaza Hotel, Pasay, Metro Manila Women's International Boxing Association World minimumweight title
Win 8-1   Nongbua Lookpraiaree UD 10 2009-03-25   Centennial Hall, Manila Hotel, Manila, Metro Manila vacant Women's International Boxing Association World minimumweight title
Win 7-1   Star Sithpracha UD 10 2008-09-13   Puerto Princesa Coliseum , Puerto Princesa City, Palawan WIBA Intercontinental Minimumweight Title
Loss 6-1   Cho-Rong Son TD 4(10) 2008-03-16   Gwangju City WBA World female minimumweight title
Win 6-0   Lilly Kokietgym UD 10 2007-11-16   San Andres Civic & Sports Center, District of Malate, Manila, Metro Manila vacant WBC International female minimumweight title
Win 5-0   Li Hai Li UD 8 2007-09-15   The Flash Grand Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Complex, Parañaque, Metro Manila WIBA Minimumweight Intercontinental Title
Win 4-0   Baina Londo TKO 3(4), 1:00 2007-04-29   Rajah Sulayman Park, District of Malate, Manila, Metro Manila
Win 3-0   Jessica Oyang TKO 3(4), 1:20 2007-04-29   New Victorias City Coliseum, Victorias City, Negros Occidental
Win 2-0   Baina Londo UD 4 2007-03-03   Rajah Sulayman Park, District of Malate, Manila, Metro Manila
Win 1-0   Li Hai Li MD 4 2006-12-21   EXPO Garden Hotel, Kunming Professional debut.

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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