Abaniel eyes world crown

TEAM Insider Boxing Gym’s top female boxer Gretchen Abaniel showed that she is ready for a shot at another world title after pummeling Christine Latube in a unanimous decision win at Brunsmick in Laguna recently.

Using crisp jabs and perfectly timed combinations, the 27-year-old Puerto Princesa, Palawan native mauled her totally outclassed foe in six rounds and expressed her readiness to grab the vacant Pan Asian Boxing Association minimumweight crown against a still unnamed foe in Japan next month.

She won on all judges’ scorecards with Jerrold Tomeldan scoring it 60-54, Elmer Lopez 60-54, and Greg Ortega 59-55. Abaniel, a former national team mainstay, turned pro in 2006.

“It’s a perfect tune-up fight for me,” said Abaniel, who has a record of 11 wins, two by knockout and four losses.

Abaniel is one of several pro boxers under the wing of Team Insider Boxing Gym, owned by businessman Jonathan Thorp, who has made the Philippines his home the past 25 years. The gym, located along Kalayaan Avenue (near Burgos St.) in Makati, sits atop the Howzat Sports Bar, which the Briton also owns.

The gym was designed by Atlanta Olympics silver medalist Onyok Velasco.

“Filipino athletes have lots of talent and skills, what they lack is the opportunity and that’s where we come in,” said Thorp. “If no one will support them, and give them the opportunity, then how will they develop?”