Filipina Abaniel blows Osaka WBO title bid

OSAKA, Japan—Despite a spirited showing, gutsy Filipina Gretchen Abaniel fell short in her bid to bag the WBO minimumweight title, losing via split decision to Japan’s Kumiko Ikehara at the jampacked Azalea Taisho here.

A cut suffered in the 10th round doomed Abaniel’s hopes of a busy finish.

In the co-feature, 45-year-old Nao Ikeyama defied time anew with a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Masae Akitaya.

Akitaya seemed to have the edge early but Ikeyama found her range during close-quarter exchanges and scored a flash knockdown in the second round.

The double WBO championship bouts were presented by Futur Promotions of businessman Yasushi Hirayama.

The WBO has continued to make inroads in Japan with its Asia Pacific chair Leon Panoncillo leading the charge.

Both Ikeyama and Ikehara are expected to defend their titles early next year.