TRIPLE world titleholder Gretchen Abaniel is slowly willing her way to become a female boxing icon in the Philippines. Abaniel, who holds the Women’s International Boxing Federation, Global Boxing Union and Women’s International Boxing Association minimumweight belts, shared the story of her success in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate.
“Napakaimportante sa akin ang huli kong panalo sa Australia para sa tatlong titulo kasi parang sa history ng women’s boxing sa Philippines, ako pa lang ’yung nakakuha ng triple world title,” Abaniel said. The pocket-sized boxer was never intimidated despite standing at 5-foot-1 and even gave her rival Petcharas Superchamp of Thailand her first defeat after seven fights via unanimous decision last July 2 in New South Wales, Australia.
“Sobrang laki niya sa akin at talagang natakot agad ako,” Abaniel shared. “Pero inisip ko sa sarili ko na nandito na ako sa war zone, wala na akong ibang magawa kung hindi lumaban na lang kahit maliit ako. So ginamit ko talaga ’yung bilis at speed, parang hit and run.”
The Filipina from Puerto Prinsesa City got her 17th win (six knockouts) against eight losses. Abaniel is not trying to be like Manny Pacquiao but she wants to create her own mark as a female fighter.