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Philippines, 16 Feb 2026 |
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ABANIEL OUT TO RECLAIM WORLD TITLE THIS SUNDAY IN MAKATI. ?ONYOK? RETURNS. PhilBoxing.com Tue, 27 Nov 2012  All roads in Philippine boxing lead straight to the country?s financial district of Makati this Sunday December 2, as the newest promoter in the local boxing scene presents the first of what they promise to be some of the biggest fight shows ever seen in the country. Team Insider Promotions, led by British businessman and long-time Philippine resident Jonathan Thorp, is certainly living up to its promise of bigger and better things for Philippine boxing as they lead off with the ?Battle Of Makati,? a power packed and colourful card?including a women?s world title fight, and the return of Onyok Velasco-- set to take place at the Makati Cinema Square beginning at 2pm. The main event will be a road to redemption and rejuvenation for Gretchen ?Chen Chen? Abaniel as the native of Puerta Princesa, Palawan strives to reclaim the Women?s International Boxing Association(WIBA) minimum weight crown when she squares off against Thailand?s Modthanoi Sor Suklert (5-,1 3KOs) for the now vacant belt. The gritty Abaniel (11-4, 2KOs) first won this very belt back in 2009 with a unanimous decision over a Thai boxer. She defended the title a year later by defeating another Thai by unanimous decision in Manila. Since then the 27 year old has suffered a series of setbacks. In 2010 she lost the title via unanimous decision in Thailand. In December, 2011 she traveled to Mexico to vie for the IBF women?s minimum weight belt and lost via fourth round TKO to Katia Gutierrez. In April of this year she went to Thailand to fight for the WBO minimum weight women?s belt and lost by unanimous decision. Frustrated with the direction of her career, Abaniel changed managers and is now promoted exclusively by Team Insider and trains at their world class gym on Kalayaan St. in Makati. In her first bout with her new team, Abaniel finally got back in the winner?s circle with a six round unanimous decision win this past September in Laguna against Christine Latube. ?I?ve had a few tough years,? Abaniel said recently, ?but now that I?m with Team Insider, I definitely feel more confident about the direction of my career. I?m in great physical condition but even more importantly I?m in excellent mental condition. Sir Jonathan and the team at Team Insider are very serious about boxing and this has helped me to focus on reclaiming the world title and defending it. I don?t want to let them down.? Thorp, who?s insistent on giving his boxers stern tests to develop their talents rather than patsies to pad their record, said he has long been a fan of Abaniel?s and was delighted to be handling her career. ?Gretchen is a fantastic boxer and a fantastic person,? Thorp said. ?With the right guidance she?s going to bring a lot of pride and a lot of smiles to Filipino boxing fans. But we?re going to challenger her. I know she?s ready.? The Thai Modthanoi looks set to make this an entertaining 10 round scrap. She?s already fought five times this year and comes into the fight with Abaniel in perfect physical condition. ?I?m ready to show I?m a world champion,? Modthanoi said through an interpreter by phone last week from Bangkok. ?My opponent is really good so it will be a good show.? Team Insider has lined up an entertaining undercard featuring several of the gym?s up and coming fighters. In a ten round bantamweight bout, Roman ?Hitman? Canto(7-0, 2KO?s) seeks to keep his unbeaten streak going as he faces Indonesia?s Ruben Manakane(9-9, 6KO?s). Although Manakane?s record indicates he?s tasted plenty of leather, he went the distance with Filipino top rated bantamweight AJ Banal this past July. Another Team Insider prospect, Ricky Dulay,(2-0) will be showcasing his wares in a six round bout against Gilbert Donasales(4-5-1). Dulay nearly made the Philippine Olympic team for this year?s London Olympics and turned pro after barely missing a spot. Also on offer on Sunday?s show will be several amateur bouts plus a mixed martial arts scrap. But perhaps the most anticipated fight of the day will be the return to the ring on none other than Mansueto ?Onyok? Velasco. Velasco won a silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in a controversial final where he appeared to dominate his opponent. Velasco hasn?t fought since and has carved out a successful career on television. Now, however, ?Onyok? will step into the ring for the first time since his heartbreak in Atlanta for a three round exhibition. ?I can?t wait to get back in the ring,? Velasco, who serves as Team Insider?s head trainer, said recently. And if that?s not enough, also making an appearance, and a pose down, will be world-renowned Filipina body builder Luz McClinton. The 33 year old former Pinoy Big Brother housemate, who?s also part of the Team Insider stable, recently captured the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Southwest US Championship in Oklahoma, USA. The Battle of Makati begins at 2pm inside Makati Cinema Square, Makati City. Tickets are P300 for ringside and P100 general admission. The event is being sponsored by Mega Sports World, Tune Hotels, Team Insider Gym, Team Insider Sports Bar, Red Horse Beer, Etihad Airlines, Howzat Bar, Bay Caf? Manila, Savoy Bistro Makati, Rogues Bar Makati, Makati Square, Big Apple Dive Resort Puerto Galera, Mulligans Irish Gastro Pub, Twins Boxing Gear, and Monster Energy Drink. For more information please visit www.insider.ph. Call 8998124 & 8995793  |
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