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
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