ABANIEL LOSES WORLD TITLE FIGHT IN BUM DECISION
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 19 Mar 2008
Undefeated female boxer Gretchen Abaniel suffered her first defeat - not in the ring but at the hands of the judges - who robbed the talented Filipina of a well-deserved victory in a WBA minimum weight title fight against hometown girl Cho Rong Son in Seoul, South Korea.
From all accounts Abaniel was on the verge of a TKO victory when the Korean referee stopped the fight because of a huge lump over the left eye of Son caused by the cracking combinations of Abaniel who dominated the fight beginning the second round until the referee intervened. He called in the ring physician who took a look at the sorry state of the Korean champion and ruled she was not fit to continue at the end of the fourth round.
When they went to the scorecards as called for by the rules all three Korean judges scored the fight for Cho Rong Son which stunned Abaniel and her manager/trainer, former Australian fighter Terrance Mogg who lives in Manila and has a stable of top-class female boxers.
Mogg told Viva Sports/Manila Standard that Abaniel "dominated every round and everyone was shocked at the blatant cheating." It was Abaniel?s first loss on record after six impressive victories including 2 knockouts.
A superb boxer who throws rapid fire combinations and maintains the same aggressive rhythm throughout every round, Abaniel won praise from former world super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios and Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez who watched her put on a classic display of boxing during a fight card staged for the World Boxing Council convention last November 16 in Manila.
In that fight Abaniel scored a lopsided ten round unanimous decision over rugged Thai girl Lily Rachaprachagym to win the WBC International title.
It was the third defense of the title by the Korean girl who improved to 10-0 with 3 knockouts.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 06 May 2025Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
Tue, 06 May 2025The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
By Eric Armit, Tue, 06 May 2025Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
Tue, 06 May 2025Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 06 May 2025Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 06 May 2025Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
Tue, 06 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
Tue, 06 May 2025IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
Tue, 06 May 2025Monster Dynamite: Inoue Crushes Cardenas in Eight
Mon, 05 May 2025"THE MONSTER" SURVIVES EARLY SCARE, DESTROYS CARDENAS IN THRILLING WAR TO RETAIN UNDISPUTED CROWN
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 05 May 2025Dana White to Promote Canelo vs. Crawford: UFC Boss Set to Elevate Superfight to Historic Levels
By T. Chin-Te, Mon, 05 May 2025Bata Reyes impressed with upcoming young players during exhibition in Libis
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 05 May 2025Canelo Wins the 'Xicoténcatl' Belt and is Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion Once Again
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 04 May 2025Florentino Inumerable rules 2025 Illinois Senior State Chess Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 04 May 2025