Quick Facts
ScorpioBiography
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.
Boxing career
Amateur
Abaniel, a resident of Puerto Princessa, 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 (96-94,94-96,99-91) granting her a split decision victory.
Professional boxing record
| 18 Wins (6 knockouts, 12 decisions), 10 Losses (2 knockout, 8 decisions), 0 Draws | |||||||
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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, Paranaque, 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 City | |
| 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 Gutierrez | 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, Paranaque City, Metro Manila | |
| Win | 9-1 | Fahpratan Looksaikongdin | UD | 10 | 2010-03-25 | Harbor Garden Tent, Sofitel Plaza Hotel, Pasay City, 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, Paranaque City, 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
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 GMKconceptualized by Daniel Razon.
She also participated on a Philippine variety show called It's Showtime:Trabahula in March 10, 2016