ABANIEL FACES TOUGH TASK IN TITLE FIGHT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 18 Sep 2008
The Philippines Gretchen ?Chen Chen? Abaniel faces a tough task when she battles World Boxing Council and World International Boxing Association minimum weight champion Carina ?La Reina? Moreno at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California, on October 23.
Moreno is coming off a lopsided unanimous decision over Puerto Rico?s Yahaira Martinez in which two judges scored it by a shutout 100-90 while the third judge had Moreno the winner by a 97-93 margin.
An orthodox fighter, Moreno stands five feet entered the ring against Martinez giving away three inches in height and several pounds in weight since the Puerto Rican girl weighed 3.6 pounds heavier than Moreno and f ailed to make the weight.
A report on the fight by Jim Seimas, Sentinel staff writer carried on the WBC website said Moreno landed a flurry of punches in the eighth round, drawing blood from Martinez and she knew the fight was won when the Puerto Rican girl backed off.
It was Martinez who actually drew first blood in the third round but it only served to fire up Moreno .
According to the report Moreno though she broke her nose while playing with her 40 pound bull terrier and their heads clashed. It forced her to wear special headgear during training.
Martinez landed a punch that aggravated the injury and drew blood but Moreno weathered the problem the rest of the fight.
Moreno?s trainer Rick Noble said he thought the blood ?fired her up.? At the same time he noted that when Moreno had Martinez on the ropes, ?she started working the body and head but a lot of times the girl would just grab onto her.?
Abaniel?s manager, former Australian boxer Terry Mogg told www.insidesports.ph, Manila Standard and Viva Sports that Moreno ?is a classy fighter and she?s the best? but added that ?if she?s not at her best she?ll be in trouble and Gretchen will win the title from her.?
The 22 year old Abaniel has a record of 7-1 with 2 knockouts and is coming off another hugely impressive win over tough Thai girl Tukta Sor Ratana to win the Women?s International Boxing Association title in Puerto Princesa, Palawan last Saturday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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