Abaniel reclaims Wiba minimumweight title

GRETCHEN Abaniel stopped Modthanoi Sithsaithong of Thailand in the fourth round to reclaim the Women’s International Boxing Association (Wiba) minimumweight world championship before a huge Sunday crowd at Makati Cinema Square.

Abaniel of Puerto Princesa punished the Thai with crisp blows, forcing referee Sammy Bernabe to spare her rival from more punishment by halting the fight at the 1-minute, 36-second mark.

“I really trained hard for this fight because I know I can’t afford to lose again,” said Abaniel. “I want to thank my manager Jonathan Thorp of Team Insider for believing in me and for giving me this chance.”

Abaniel first won the Wiba belt in 2009 before losing it to another Thai by unanimous decision two years later. She raised her record to 12 victories, three by knockouts, against four setbacks. June Navarro