Gretchen Abaniel


Gretchen Magbanua Abaniel is a former 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.

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.

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 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.
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 granting her a split decision victory.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
29Loss18–11Seniesa Estrada4, 2:00Jun 13, 2019The Avalon, Los Angeles, California, U.S.For WBC Silver female light-flyweight title
28Loss18–10Tenkai TsunamiTKO4, 1:33Jul 29, 2018Okinawa Convention Center, Ginowan, JapanFor WBO female light-flyweight title
27Loss18–9Cai ZongjuUD10Oct 28, 2017Macau East Asian Games Dome, Cotai, ChinaFor IBF female mini-flyweight title
26Win18–8Chamaporn ChairinUD6Sep 30, 2017Elorde Sports Complex, Parañaque, Philippines
25Win17–8Saowaluk NareepangsriUD10Jul 2, 2016Club Punchbowl, Sydney, AustraliaRetained GBU female mini-flyweight title; Won vacant WIBA mini-flyweight title
24Win16–8Asiye Özlem SahinSD10Nov 7, 2015Arena Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, GermanyWon GBU and vacant WIBF mini-flyweight titles
23Loss15–8Park Ji-hyunUD10Aug 1, 2015Bucheon Gymnasium, Bucheon, South KoreaFor WIBA atomweight title
22Loss15–7Cai ZongjuUD10Feb 22, 2015Wenshan Prefecture Ethnic Gymnasium, Wenshan, ChinaFor vacant WBC International female mini-flyweight title
21Loss15–6Kumiko Seeser Ikehara10Sep 20, 2014Azalea Taisho Hall, Osaka, JapanFor vacant WBO female mini-flyweight title
20Win15–5Thanya TuyonTKO5, 1:44May 24, 2014Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Sydney, Australia
19Win14–5Sumalee TongpootornTKO9, 1:18Feb 7, 2014Town Plaza Gymnasium, Biñan, PhilippinesWon vacant WIBA mini-flyweight title
18Loss13–5Ayaka MiyaoUD10Nov 28, 2013Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanFor WBA female atomweight title
17Win13–4Dorkmaipa Keangpompetch1, 1:39Aug 17, 2013RSL Club, Sawtell, Australia
16Win12–4Chadaphorn SuklertTKO4, 1:36Dec 2, 2012Makati Cinema Square Boxing Arena, Makati, PhilippinesWon vacant WIBA mini-flyweight title
15Win11–4Christine LatubeUD6Sep 29, 2012Brusmick Compound Gym, Santa Rosa, Philippines
14Loss10–4Teeraporn PannimitUD10Apr 25, 2012Bung Nam Thao, ThailandFor vacant WBO female mini-flyweight title
13Loss10–3Katia GutiérrezTKO4, 1:57Dec 10, 2011Estadio Centenario, Los Mochis, MexicoFor IBF female mini-flyweight title
12Loss10–2Siriporn ThaweesukUD10Feb 19, 2011Sukhothai Institute of Physical Education Stadium, Sukhothai, ThailandFor WIBA and vacant WBC–ABCO mini-flyweight titles
11Win10–1Buasawan WisetchatUD8Oct 2, 2010Elorde Sports Complex, Parañaque, Philippines
10Win9–1Waranya YoohanngohUD10Mar 25, 2010Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Pasay, PhilippinesRetained WIBA mini-flyweight title
9Win8–1Buasawan WisetchatUD10Mar 25, 2009Manila Hotel, Manila, PhilippinesWon vacant WIBA mini-flyweight title
8Win7–1Tukta PakabbuthUD10Sep 13, 2008Puerto Princesa Coliseum, Puerto Princesa, PhilippinesRetained WIBA Intercontinental mini-flyweight title
7Loss6–1Son Cho-rong4, 2:00Mar 16, 2008Gwangju, South KoreaFor WBA female mini-flyweight title
6Win6–0Napaporn BoonchuonUD10Nov 16, 2007San Andres Civic & Sports Center, Manila, PhilippinesWon vacant WBC International female mini-flyweight title
5Win5–0Li Hai LiUD8Sep 15, 2007Elorde Sports Complex, Parañaque, PhilippinesWon vacant WIBA Intercontinental mini-flyweight title
4Win4–0Baina LondoTKO3, 1:00Apr 29, 2007Plaza Rajah Sulayman, Manila, Philippines
3Win3–0Jessica Oyang3, 1:20Apr 21, 2007New Victorias City Coliseum, Victorias, Philippines
2Win2–0Baina Londo4Mar 3, 2007Plaza Rajah Sulayman, Manila, Philippines
1Win1–0Li Hai Li4Dec 21, 2006EXPO Garden Hotel, Kunming, China

Titles and Accomplishment

WIBA Women's International Boxing Association Minimumweight title
WBC International female minimumweight title
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 on March 10, 2016