By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Gretchen Abaniel lived up to her potential by winning the prestigious Women’s International Boxing Association minimum weight title with a lopsided ten round decision over extremely tough Thai fighter Nongbua Lookprai Aree at the 9th Annual Flash Elorde Awards Night at The Tent of the historic Manila Hotel.
Abaniel who won the admiration of former WBC featherweight champion Oscar Larios and Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker who saw her in a spectacular performance during a fight card marking the 2007 WBC Convention in Manila lived up to the hopes of Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn who has supported the career of the hometown girl.
Abaniel was in command of the fight throughout but the game Thai challenger was aggressive and gave fight fans something to cheer about after a totally disappointing Philippine featherweight title bout in which champion Vinvin Rufino successfully defended his title against Jaime Barcelona.
Abaniel counter-punched beautifully catching Aree time and time again as she waded in with both hands flailing. After a dominating sixth round when she pulverized Aree, Abaniel dropped the Thai girl with a cracking right hand in round seven but couldn’t finish her off no matter how hard she tried.
In the end Abaniel put on a clinic which Rufino and Barcelona could have benefited from watching.
All three judges scored it by a shutout for Abaniel 100-89.
The skilful Filipina who is trained and managed by former Australian boxer Terry Mogg cried as the championship belt was placed around her waist with the moment becoming even more special as her parents joined her in the ring.
With the win Abaniel maintained her winning ways as she was coming off a unanimous decision win over another tough opponent Tukta Sor Batana last September 13.
Although badly beaten Aree had nothing to be ashamed off as she battled Abaniel and occasionally caught her with some solid shots in an action-packed fight.
Mogg told Viva Sports in a post-fight interview that he had received “a couple of offers to fight in Las Vegas but we are still looking at our options” even as he said he’d like Abaniel to take a good rest before possibly defending her title in her hometown of Puerto Princesa.
Mogg also expressed hope that President Arroyo would receive the world champion at Malacanang since Ms. Arroyo wants “to promote equality in sports and we are all very proud of Gretchen since she has worked very hard .”