FILIPINA TO FIGHT FOR WBA WORLD TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 28 Feb 2008
Gretchen Abaniel.
Filipina Gretchen Abaniel, a two-fisted punching machine, will battle South Korea?s Cho Rong Son for the WBA female world minimum weight title in Seoul on March 16, the same day Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao takes on WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in an eagerly awaited rematch in Las Vegas.
Abaniel, a former outstanding amateur is ranked No. 4 by the WBC and No. 8 by the WBA in the women?s category. She is undefeated in 6 fights with 2 knockouts while the Korean champion who is making the third defense of her title is also undefeated with 9 wins, 3 by way of knockouts.
Abaniel currently holds the WIBA minimum weight intercontinental title as well as the WBC atom weight international title and is managed and trained by former Australian boxer Terrance Mogg who has effectively developed a compact stable of female boxers as well as a few promising male fighters including Warlito Parenas.
Mogg said Abaniel who put on a sensational performance in scoring a unanimous ten round decision over rugged Thai girl Lilly Rachaprachagym during a fight card for delegates to the WBC Convention last November 16 at the San Andres Sports Center in Malate was in ?:fantastic condition? although he expects it to be ?a tough fight.?
Mogg said he observed Cho Rong Son train in Manila recently and said she ?moves well and has a strong jab and straight right.? However, he said Abaniel?s ?tenacious style and super fitness? were ideal for this type of fight. Mogg said the fight plan would be to ?take the fight to the Korean in every round, leaving no time for her to rest and no doubt in the minds of the judges.?
Mogg added, Abaniel is ?well prepared and we are going there (Seoul) to win.? Abaniel has been sparring with teammates from Mogg's Panther Boxing Gym, Geremie Tabastabas, Marnelle Verano and male minimum weight boxer Eljune Leonardo from the Tiger City Gym in Mandaluyong City.
Abaniel
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026