# Gretchen Abaniel

Gretchen Magbanua Abaniel (born November 4, 1985) 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 (96-94,94-96,99-91) granting her a split decision victory.

## Professional boxing record

| 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

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 GMK conceptualized by Daniel Razon.
She also participated on a Philippine variety show called It's Showtime:Trabahula on March 10, 2016